kprattos4236's review against another edition
4.0
Listened to the audio book. 4 stars bc of the complexity of mental illness and dysfunction of family dynamics. Good writing, just was too long to keep me super excited. Not super riveting
kiara_adir's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.75
findyourgoldenhour's review against another edition
5.0
This book was devastating to read because it hits really close to home, but it's beautifully written. It will stay with me for a long time, I'm sure.
fjasmineaddams's review against another edition
4.0
Oof. Too-real descriptions of anxiety and the havoc it wreaks on families. Also, an interesting argument that "we are not individuals," which both resists familiar pop psychology takes on codependency and addresses issues of historical trauma. I might need some more time with the latter: my first impression was that the connections to racism felt underdeveloped.
vspinazola's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the best fiction novels I have read in a while. I got it from the library but want to purchase a copy so I can go back and read over the well-constructed sentences. For anyone who has even a slightly dysfunctional family (everyone?), this story beautifully expresses the motivations behind the different roles in the family unit.
rjmcewan's review against another edition
Interesting but relentlessly depressing. Couldn't get through it.
amymck05's review against another edition
4.0
interesting read on the effects of mental illness on a family. hard to get through but glad I read it.
tlm1964's review against another edition
dark
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
3.5
girlgeekcyclist's review against another edition
2.0
I started reading this ages ago and then lost interest because there is a bit in the middle where I truly didn't understand what was happening. Not an uplifting story but talks a lot about families and trying to see things from different perspectives.
limpfingser's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0