Reviews with content warning for Medical content - Helpmeet

Here’s the thing, it’s a good book. Well written, intriguing premise, delivers in the horror department—I encourage others to read it. It’s just not what I personally enjoy. It didn't have any major impact on me other than grossing me out.

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azalya01's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad medium-paced

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

4.0

I definitely enjoyed this story, even I'm not 100% sure how it made me feel. It was haunting and sad, but I also felt this sense of warmth and love between the characters. I feel like I took a glimpse into the lives of people who I may never understand, but I feel the gravity of their choices and respect their strange way of seeing the world. Somehow I relate to the main character deeply, and wants best for her, even though I don't think either she nor I knows fully what that is.

I went into this book with no pretense or expectation. I didn’t even know what it was about. But, even though the body horror surprised me, somehow I was never disgusted. I was drawn into the story by the immense patience and gentleness that Louise displayed. I wanted to see Louise to the end and be with her for whatever the end of her journey held. All hope is that the end her story was worth it for her.

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riththewarluid's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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crocoduck's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

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

3.5

It doesn't seem fair that you have been inside my body but I haven't been inside yours

This was a very enjoyable read. The writing is amazing and I love the atmosphere of it. It actually wasn't as body horror-y as I expected it to be.

I'm not sure how much I like the ending; or, rather, the reveal about the sickness. I'm left thinking, "that's it? alright? I guess?" I'm not sure I get the point of it, but it doesn't detract from my enjoyment too much.

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hauntedantiqueshop's review against another edition

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dark mysterious fast-paced

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

4.25

Louise said let me climb inside your skin and meant it.

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vagrantheather's review

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dark fast-paced

Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Tbh too gross for me. Written with care tho.

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hhaikyee's review against another edition

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dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

MY GOD i was expecting way more nasty gore but this was surprisingly on the wholesome end?? though i do think its odd how obsessed louise is w/ edward like.. he dont like you that bad i fear TT

good read though! def helpinf me get out of my slump. rlly interested in the whole concept && would LOVE a sequel based on similar themes.

ALSO is it weird to say i LOVED

the way edward’s illness was described?? absolutely adored the mental image of him cutting his nose off. thrilled by louise tending to his eye sockets. wish we got more of that ngl

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nadiajohnsonbooks's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.5

At only 89 pages, this is the shortest book I've read this year...and one of the most intense

It starts like any domestic gothic might:

A wife, her dying husband, a relocation to the house in the country where he grew up

Where it ends up...well, suffice it to say that it's a remarkable work of body horror without being exceedingly gory, and it paints a grotesque and poetic portrait of a certain type of marital intimacy

The husband's affliction is so horrific, beginning something like advanced syphilis and progressing to something much worse. Ruthnum's prose balances evocative language with clinical detachment that, for me at least, kept it from being too sickening to be beautiful

Without question, this story will live in my thoughts (and nightmares) for a long while

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