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chroniclesofabookmum's review against another edition
5.0
“Books are good. I can live life safely and without peril in a fictional universe.”
Here is what happens when your mother dies.
It’s the brightest day of summer and it’s dark outside. It’s dark in your house, dark in your room, and dark in your heart. You feel like the darkness is going to split you apart.
That’s how it feels for Tiger. It’s always been Tiger and her mother against the world. Then, on a day like any other, Tiger’s mother dies. And now it’s Tiger, alone.
Here is how you learn to make friends with the dark.
I was kindly sent this book from Rock the Boat in exchange for an honest review. Firstly I want to say thank you to Rock the Boat and the wonderful author Kathleen Glasgow for giving me an early opportunity to read this book.
I have never read a book that has given me so many different emotions. I laughed and I cried. It made me happy, sad and angry, sometimes I felt all those emotions at the same time. Honestly, this book has had such a profound effect on me. I will not EVER forget the time I spent reading this book, it was truly fantastic.
At times this book is raw and heart-wrenching, but also powerful in the way that it portrays it. Kathleen shows that even in the darkest times of your life, light will always appear when you least expect it. To me, that is so important. Grief and loss is something people experience everyday, but coping with the said emotions is stigmatised in society and we really do not speak about it enough. If anything this book teaches you that it is okay to not be okay; it is okay to feel sad, lonely, lost .. even angry. It shows you that it is okay to be yourself, to show how you feel and that those that judge you for that are not worthy of being in your life. How to Make Friends with the Dark really made me realise how sometimes I take my life for granted and that sometimes I do not understand how lucky I truly am. I am fortunate enough to have not experienced the events conveyed in this book, however that doesn’t mean it didn’t hit home and have the desired effect on me whilst reading.
I’m really struggling with this review because I loved this book so much and I really want to give the book the justice that it deserves. Words are not enough to express what reading this book did to me, the feelings that it gave me and the emotions that I felt.
I felt such a connection with the protagonist. I truly felt like I was experiencing the emotional rollercoaster that is her life with her. When she was sad, I was sad. When she was angry, I was angry. I could relate to her so easily and that is due to the wonderful writing style that Kathleen adapts. Her character building and poetic prose really immerses you into the story and helps you to effortlessly make a bond with her characters. I felt really satisfied with the conclusion of her story and for me that is very rare, I cannot pick fault in any part of this book.
I loved reading about the people in Tiger’s life, particularly the way they reacted to her personal situation. It really portrayed that whilst peoples behaviour towards her differs, there is no set way one should conduct themselves if faced with this situation. People make mistakes and say the wrong things, even adults which I think is so important to realise. However, a key message for me that I picked up from this particular point is not to walk away. If you truly care about somebody, do not abandon them when they need you most in life just because you don’t know what to say. Know that your presence and a caring ear is all somebody wishes for. AHEM, Kai. I love the relationships that she formed throughout her situation and the way they grew for the duration. It was really heart-warming to see that during such a tragic time of loss, Tiger gained so many life long friends and built stronger existing relationships with those that have always been there.
I also love a book that makes any kind of mention about Harry Potter, this book did that several times however the quote I am about to include may be one of my favourite.
“How many times will I have to move now?
Harry Potter went to his aunt and uncles but he had to live under the stairs. He got Hogwarts, but he still had to go home in the summers. My mother always thought that was bullshit. Dumbledore sending Harry back to a horrible house. He could’ve kept him at Hogwarts, or even with Hagrid. He thought he needed to deprive him of love if hew was going to do what he needed him to do. But I don’t believe that. Not at all.”
This quote made me see Harry Potter in a whole new light and I love it.
All in all I really did love this book and if you haven’t picked that up from this review you’ve definitely been reading it with your eyes closed. But now open your eyes and GO AND BUY THIS BOOK. You will not regret it. I would recommend that everybody reads this book at some point in their life, it has so many important lessons to teach and it is just so beautiful.
A lesson that I will really take away from this book is that no argument is worth falling out with your loved ones for. Do not hold a grudge, move on immediately and remind them just how much you love them. You do not know what will happen tomorrow.
“You must go on. I can’t go on. You must go on. Because what other choice is there, really? You have to make friends with the dark.”
Again, thank you to Rock the Boat for giving me this fantastic opportunity.
Here is what happens when your mother dies.
It’s the brightest day of summer and it’s dark outside. It’s dark in your house, dark in your room, and dark in your heart. You feel like the darkness is going to split you apart.
That’s how it feels for Tiger. It’s always been Tiger and her mother against the world. Then, on a day like any other, Tiger’s mother dies. And now it’s Tiger, alone.
Here is how you learn to make friends with the dark.
I was kindly sent this book from Rock the Boat in exchange for an honest review. Firstly I want to say thank you to Rock the Boat and the wonderful author Kathleen Glasgow for giving me an early opportunity to read this book.
I have never read a book that has given me so many different emotions. I laughed and I cried. It made me happy, sad and angry, sometimes I felt all those emotions at the same time. Honestly, this book has had such a profound effect on me. I will not EVER forget the time I spent reading this book, it was truly fantastic.
At times this book is raw and heart-wrenching, but also powerful in the way that it portrays it. Kathleen shows that even in the darkest times of your life, light will always appear when you least expect it. To me, that is so important. Grief and loss is something people experience everyday, but coping with the said emotions is stigmatised in society and we really do not speak about it enough. If anything this book teaches you that it is okay to not be okay; it is okay to feel sad, lonely, lost .. even angry. It shows you that it is okay to be yourself, to show how you feel and that those that judge you for that are not worthy of being in your life. How to Make Friends with the Dark really made me realise how sometimes I take my life for granted and that sometimes I do not understand how lucky I truly am. I am fortunate enough to have not experienced the events conveyed in this book, however that doesn’t mean it didn’t hit home and have the desired effect on me whilst reading.
I’m really struggling with this review because I loved this book so much and I really want to give the book the justice that it deserves. Words are not enough to express what reading this book did to me, the feelings that it gave me and the emotions that I felt.
I felt such a connection with the protagonist. I truly felt like I was experiencing the emotional rollercoaster that is her life with her. When she was sad, I was sad. When she was angry, I was angry. I could relate to her so easily and that is due to the wonderful writing style that Kathleen adapts. Her character building and poetic prose really immerses you into the story and helps you to effortlessly make a bond with her characters. I felt really satisfied with the conclusion of her story and for me that is very rare, I cannot pick fault in any part of this book.
I loved reading about the people in Tiger’s life, particularly the way they reacted to her personal situation. It really portrayed that whilst peoples behaviour towards her differs, there is no set way one should conduct themselves if faced with this situation. People make mistakes and say the wrong things, even adults which I think is so important to realise. However, a key message for me that I picked up from this particular point is not to walk away. If you truly care about somebody, do not abandon them when they need you most in life just because you don’t know what to say. Know that your presence and a caring ear is all somebody wishes for. AHEM, Kai. I love the relationships that she formed throughout her situation and the way they grew for the duration. It was really heart-warming to see that during such a tragic time of loss, Tiger gained so many life long friends and built stronger existing relationships with those that have always been there.
I also love a book that makes any kind of mention about Harry Potter, this book did that several times however the quote I am about to include may be one of my favourite.
“How many times will I have to move now?
Harry Potter went to his aunt and uncles but he had to live under the stairs. He got Hogwarts, but he still had to go home in the summers. My mother always thought that was bullshit. Dumbledore sending Harry back to a horrible house. He could’ve kept him at Hogwarts, or even with Hagrid. He thought he needed to deprive him of love if hew was going to do what he needed him to do. But I don’t believe that. Not at all.”
This quote made me see Harry Potter in a whole new light and I love it.
All in all I really did love this book and if you haven’t picked that up from this review you’ve definitely been reading it with your eyes closed. But now open your eyes and GO AND BUY THIS BOOK. You will not regret it. I would recommend that everybody reads this book at some point in their life, it has so many important lessons to teach and it is just so beautiful.
A lesson that I will really take away from this book is that no argument is worth falling out with your loved ones for. Do not hold a grudge, move on immediately and remind them just how much you love them. You do not know what will happen tomorrow.
“You must go on. I can’t go on. You must go on. Because what other choice is there, really? You have to make friends with the dark.”
Again, thank you to Rock the Boat for giving me this fantastic opportunity.
tselmegoyu's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
folkrishmore's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
it’s very great!! i love how grief is displayed. however, i wish there book went just a bit faster, it was kinda hard to get into
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Vomit, and Car accident
Minor: Addiction, Eating disorder, and Self harm
jenlynng_81's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
tuckeralmengor's review against another edition
5.0
Many thanks to Delacorte Books for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review
I got to meet Kathleen at the National Book Festival!!
***********
Oh my god. I don't think I have EVER read a book better than this one. It made me giggle. It made me cry. This is a book that everyone needs to read. And then read again. And again.
This book but me with a tsunami of emotions. Stronger than anything a book has ever made me feel in a while.
Grief is a very hard thing to put on to paper. I mean having someone you love die is one of the hardest things any human will ever have to face. I have been fortunate to only face it once. Even so, I know how painful it can be. I could relate to Tiger's pain. I know the feeling of not knowing what to do, what to say or who to turn to.
Even though, I've never experienced foster care of anything like that, I still felt Tiger's fear and sadness when she was put into the system. When I went through the process of admitting myself to Psych Inpatient, I felt out of control. I felt like my life had been taken away in one fell swoop.
For a rather large portion of the novel, Tiger is struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts. Even though it's never directly saud, it's heavily implied and rather obvious. This also broke my heart because I've been there. I know how it feels to get sick of people saying "Things will get better" or "Keep going"
One of Tiger's many frustrations and fears was being moved from home to home. I also could relate to this. As I said earlier, I am fortunate enough to live with the same family for my entire life. But while I was at the hospital, I was constantly being moved from room to room and the staff was changing. Every time, I felt comfortable with one set of staff, it would switch and I'd have to do it all over again.
Finally, I love the honesty in this book. Most books about mental health and death do say dumb things like "Things will get better" and "Keep going". This one doesn't. It says that life is hard and that's okay. It's okay to be in pain. The key is learning how to get through it.
Many thanks to Delacorte for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review
Resources:
Suicide Lifeline
HopeLine
TeenLine
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room
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loveleeshay's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
An interesting take on multiple hard topics. Really shows just how easy things can take a turn and the domino effects that can then happen.
oliwk44a's review against another edition
5.0
Dużo płakałam przy tej książce duzo ale myślę, że każdy powinien ją przeczytać. Opowiada o bardzo ważnych rzeczach i o tym jak poradzic sobie ze stratą bliskich
magggies1's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jenpaul13's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes, particularly when you're young, you feel like you have life somewhat figured out, but when a tragic loss is thrown into the mix, life, and existence, takes on a new meaning, as in Kathleen Glasgow's How to Make Friends with the Dark.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Tiger Tolliver and her mother June might not have the easiest of lives, but they've been able to manage to get by and have figured out a good dynamic between them. Tiger is nervous about telling her mother about the upcoming dance she's going to with Kai; when she finally does, despite a brief argument, June buys Tiger an unusual dress, unprompted, leading to Tiger venting some of her frustration about how over-involved June is in her life. When Tiger later learns that her mother suffered an aneurysm that killed her, Tiger is justifiably distraught at the hole now left in her life. With no known family to act as her guardian, Tiger is placed into different homes as a ward of the state until more information about a potentially permanent situation surfaces and solidifies. Navigating uncharted territory of a world without her mother, and garbed in the unusual dress she bought her, Tiger begins to learn who she is without her mother and that everyone has losses that they struggle through.
Tackling an immense subject of dealing with death, grief, and a sense of abandonment that accompanies the loss of a parent, the story illuminates the struggles associated with learning to cope with a sudden, new way of life. The narrative is raw in its portrayal of Tiger's emotional state throughout the immediate and extended aftermath of suddenly losing her mother, as well as the relative stability of her life. The text highlights many good points about ways to process grief as Tiger slowly progresses beyond initial shock, particularly noting that it's OK to not be OK. Though the story evolves over the course of roughly two months, the pacing felt rather slow, although a more slogging pace could work with how Tiger perceived the entire ordeal.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Tiger Tolliver and her mother June might not have the easiest of lives, but they've been able to manage to get by and have figured out a good dynamic between them. Tiger is nervous about telling her mother about the upcoming dance she's going to with Kai; when she finally does, despite a brief argument, June buys Tiger an unusual dress, unprompted, leading to Tiger venting some of her frustration about how over-involved June is in her life. When Tiger later learns that her mother suffered an aneurysm that killed her, Tiger is justifiably distraught at the hole now left in her life. With no known family to act as her guardian, Tiger is placed into different homes as a ward of the state until more information about a potentially permanent situation surfaces and solidifies. Navigating uncharted territory of a world without her mother, and garbed in the unusual dress she bought her, Tiger begins to learn who she is without her mother and that everyone has losses that they struggle through.
Tackling an immense subject of dealing with death, grief, and a sense of abandonment that accompanies the loss of a parent, the story illuminates the struggles associated with learning to cope with a sudden, new way of life. The narrative is raw in its portrayal of Tiger's emotional state throughout the immediate and extended aftermath of suddenly losing her mother, as well as the relative stability of her life. The text highlights many good points about ways to process grief as Tiger slowly progresses beyond initial shock, particularly noting that it's OK to not be OK. Though the story evolves over the course of roughly two months, the pacing felt rather slow, although a more slogging pace could work with how Tiger perceived the entire ordeal.
madi_wimmer's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25