spinesinaline's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Racism, and Death
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts
bookwormfr_t0's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
What a beautifully written book. There are 5 characters we follow: Marilyn, James, Nath, Lydia, and Hannah; which sounds like a lot but each read distinctly from each other. They have their own internal struggles and distinctive thoughts that I think this story will appeal to all audiences; which was surprising because I did not expect to relate or identify with any of these characters but I did.
There are so many themes in this novel, but one that really stood out to me was how parents insecurities and expectations can impact children in a variety of ways. Specifically, how parents regrets from their own lives form how they raise their children, which can have negative effects.
Ng does a beautiful job weaving this story so delicately together it is filled with emotion and is tragically sad. The way Ng writes the character thoughts and emotions (especially Lydia) is visceral and palpable.
**I do see that it is categorized as a 'mystery/thriller' here on Storygraph, do not go into this book expecting a thriller. This is a tragic character study of a family suffering from loss and crushing grief.**
There are so many themes in this novel, but one that really stood out to me was how parents insecurities and expectations can impact children in a variety of ways. Specifically, how parents regrets from their own lives form how they raise their children, which can have negative effects.
Ng does a beautiful job weaving this story so delicately together it is filled with emotion and is tragically sad. The way Ng writes the character thoughts and emotions (especially Lydia) is visceral and palpable.
**I do see that it is categorized as a 'mystery/thriller' here on Storygraph, do not go into this book expecting a thriller. This is a tragic character study of a family suffering from loss and crushing grief.**
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, Racism, Grief, Infidelity, and Mental illness
bryelle's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A girl goes missing and her body is found in a lake. Her family goes through grief trying to figure out what happened and coping with the lose of their loved one.
This books has many themes of internal struggle. All the characters are going through their own journeys of what their lives are.
Lydia, the girl who goes missing, wants to live up to her parents expectations. She pushes her self and only feels like she has her brother to support her.
Nath, going away to Harvard soon, feels like he is in Lydia’s shadow. His father hit him when he is young and he can never look at him the same.
Hannah, the baby that brought her mother back after she ran away to accomplish her dreams. No one pays attention to her, but she loves them all the same.
Marilyn, wanted to be a doctor, but fell in love and got pregnant. She pushed her goals on her daughter Lydia.
James, Asian man in a mostly white community. Always knows everyone is looking at him and his children.
This books has many themes of internal struggle. All the characters are going through their own journeys of what their lives are.
Spoiler
Lydia, the girl who goes missing, wants to live up to her parents expectations. She pushes her self and only feels like she has her brother to support her.
Nath, going away to Harvard soon, feels like he is in Lydia’s shadow. His father hit him when he is young and he can never look at him the same.
Hannah, the baby that brought her mother back after she ran away to accomplish her dreams. No one pays attention to her, but she loves them all the same.
Marilyn, wanted to be a doctor, but fell in love and got pregnant. She pushed her goals on her daughter Lydia.
James, Asian man in a mostly white community. Always knows everyone is looking at him and his children.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Child death, Bullying, and Alcohol
Moderate: Outing
laurynreadsbooks's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Abandonment, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Sexual content, Racism, and Suicide
Not as much resolution at the end, but still a deeply touching book. This one really hit home for me and I’m going to have to think about this one for a while.kclark73031's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
hopemarie_f_hughes's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
No notes. Ng is an incredible storyteller who always draws you into the heartbreakingly beautiful tales she spins. While masterfully weaving in character development, Ng takes you on a journey as this interracial family struggles to find themselves as individuals and as a family unit. How Ng is able to bring in multiple POVs in each chapter and effortlessly transition from one to the other is beyond me. Her words are magic, and I can’t get enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Child death
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Child abuse
sternentinte's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Infidelity
Moderate: Abandonment, Child death, Misogyny, Medical content, and Racism
Minor: Alcohol, Bullying, and Suicidal thoughts
grxtaa's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Racial slurs, and Suicidal thoughts
dayangku's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was an intense read for me, but very enjoyable. I like how all the characters' stories were shown in each of their POV, and intertwined in an orderly way. Great writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Racial slurs
leahbydesign's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Racism, Racial slurs, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt