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rayne_1906's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.5
6 hours 39 minutes - This is a very interesting book. I have never seen anything quite like this so definitely points for originality. So often people go about their daily lives and never stop to think about all the other paths they could have taken. This book did not only speculate, but contained four different stories of four different outcomes. And this book was heart-breaking, and you really did feel for the characters. However, the format of having four stories rolled into one led to feelings of repetition, and sometimes confusion. Did this event happen in this story or a previous one? for example. At times the characters did seem slightly exaggerated and bordering on annoying, but in a way I can see that being an intentional choice; its more realistic for characters portraying serious mental illness to not come across to the reader's in a perfectly likeable manner. I really didn't like the way the third story was told. I found it confusing and convoluted, and most of it seemed like the author info dumping ideas he had but couldn't quite work into the main plot. It would have been a more reflective choice to keep that section as short as possible. However, overall, a very good story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, Fatphobia, Grief, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Abandonment, Body shaming, Bullying, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
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