Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'

Neujahr: Roman by Juli Zeh

2 reviews

dorianablu83's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Excrement, and Infidelity

Minor: Car accident

lianne_rooney's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

German father of two Henning has impulsively booked his family on a winter holiday in Lanzarote. On New Year's Day, he embarks on a tough uphill bike ride and reflects on his marriage, his family and 'it' - the panic attacks and anxiety that increasingly trouble him. He reaches the top of the hill in an exhausted state and finds himself in familiar surroundings. The events that then unfold reveal a traumatic repressed event he and his sister almost didn't survive.

This is a short and intense novella exploring memory, mental health and trauma. The second half of the book focuses on Henning's childhood experience and while it was compelling I also found almost too uncomfortable to read on. It's a book I admired more than enjoyed. 

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a review copy.

CW: mental health, panic attacks, infidelity, neglect, emotional abuse

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abandonment

Moderate: Emotional abuse and Infidelity