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brooke_review's review
3.0
Carolyn Grand is not an "I" - she is a "we." Afflicted with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) stemming from horrific sexual abuse in childhood, there are six different people inhabiting Carolyn's body, none of them actually Carolyn. These personalities include Martha, the dour motherly figure of the group; Victoria, prim, proper, and put together; Serena, the head-in-the-clouds dreamer; Eleni, the sexual temptress; Kirk, the only male out of the six; and Tina, who is stuck in the mindset of an abused 9 year old child. Together, they make up Carolyn Grand's psyche in all of its manifestations.
A.F. Carter's All of Us follows Carolyn's personalities in the aftermath of an unfortunate encounter with the police, which finds Carolyn receiving state-mandated therapy to determine if she is suitable to live independently. Carolyn's therapist is nefarious and judgmental, not quit believing that Carolyn has no control over her numerous identities, and he seems to be doing her more harm than good. Furthermore, when Carolyn's father Hank Grand, a sexual deviant who used a young Carolyn as the star of child pornography films he produced, is released from prison, she finds herself being stalked by him, wreaking havoc on her mental stability. When Hank soon ends up murdered, Carolyn naturally finds herself as one of the prime suspects. But are any of her personalities responsible for the crime, and if so, which one?
All of Us is an unconventional, yet engaging novel that explores the ways that childhood trauma manifests itself in adults. With that being said, All of Us is not an easy, nor enjoyable book to read. Rather, I would classify it as interesting and revealing. The book contains several descriptions of the abuse Hank afflicted upon Carolyn as a very young child, making this novel quite unsettling, stomach-turning, and triggering. It should be obvious that this book will not be enjoyed by everyone.
Looking past the instances of sexual abuse, I did appreciate the way Carter worked the multiple personalities into the novel, switching the character POV in each chapter as a new personality took over "the body." This plot device proved to be very disorienting and sometimes confusing, helping the reader experience what someone suffering from DID deals with on a daily basis. All of Us is a solid and intriguing read, yet not one that I wholly enjoyed, hence my 3 star rating.
A.F. Carter's All of Us follows Carolyn's personalities in the aftermath of an unfortunate encounter with the police, which finds Carolyn receiving state-mandated therapy to determine if she is suitable to live independently. Carolyn's therapist is nefarious and judgmental, not quit believing that Carolyn has no control over her numerous identities, and he seems to be doing her more harm than good. Furthermore, when Carolyn's father Hank Grand, a sexual deviant who used a young Carolyn as the star of child pornography films he produced, is released from prison, she finds herself being stalked by him, wreaking havoc on her mental stability. When Hank soon ends up murdered, Carolyn naturally finds herself as one of the prime suspects. But are any of her personalities responsible for the crime, and if so, which one?
All of Us is an unconventional, yet engaging novel that explores the ways that childhood trauma manifests itself in adults. With that being said, All of Us is not an easy, nor enjoyable book to read. Rather, I would classify it as interesting and revealing. The book contains several descriptions of the abuse Hank afflicted upon Carolyn as a very young child, making this novel quite unsettling, stomach-turning, and triggering. It should be obvious that this book will not be enjoyed by everyone.
Looking past the instances of sexual abuse, I did appreciate the way Carter worked the multiple personalities into the novel, switching the character POV in each chapter as a new personality took over "the body." This plot device proved to be very disorienting and sometimes confusing, helping the reader experience what someone suffering from DID deals with on a daily basis. All of Us is a solid and intriguing read, yet not one that I wholly enjoyed, hence my 3 star rating.
ariiiiready2read916's review
4.0
My Review ✨
➡️ SWIPE 4 SYNOPSIS ➡️
All of Us by AF Carter
•••
This book was such a interesting novel full of suspense. I learned a lot reading this book about disassociative identity disorder, and I felt like the other did really good job of explaining that.
Plot: Carolyn Grand was abused by her father, sexually and physically, and was tortured by him for years. She finally tells at school and gets sent to a foster home where the same thing happens. Because of this tragedy, she grows up and develops disassociative identity disorder. Then her father gets released from prison and immediately start stalking Caroline. But then- he ends up dead. And Caroline is the main suspect.
Most of the book is Caroline trying to get past her past, and I really loved the eccentric cast of characters (all her alters) it was fun to read about all of them, and how they all viewed the world differently. I definitely understand how some people that deal with and same trauma now develop this as a protector and or barrier.
Writing: AF, Carter did a fantastic job of weaving together a story that was both plot centered and character driven. They were very short chapters, but they all packed a punch and had a lot to say. I loved how the author world together that along with a beautiful police procedural that was done well.
Ending: the ending was rather good, and I felt like it wrapped up the story very well. I loved meeting and learning about all of Caroline’s alters, and this book really made you want the best for her
Genre: Suspense
•••
My Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
➡️ SWIPE 4 SYNOPSIS ➡️
All of Us by AF Carter
•••
This book was such a interesting novel full of suspense. I learned a lot reading this book about disassociative identity disorder, and I felt like the other did really good job of explaining that.
Plot: Carolyn Grand was abused by her father, sexually and physically, and was tortured by him for years. She finally tells at school and gets sent to a foster home where the same thing happens. Because of this tragedy, she grows up and develops disassociative identity disorder. Then her father gets released from prison and immediately start stalking Caroline. But then- he ends up dead. And Caroline is the main suspect.
Most of the book is Caroline trying to get past her past, and I really loved the eccentric cast of characters (all her alters) it was fun to read about all of them, and how they all viewed the world differently. I definitely understand how some people that deal with and same trauma now develop this as a protector and or barrier.
Writing: AF, Carter did a fantastic job of weaving together a story that was both plot centered and character driven. They were very short chapters, but they all packed a punch and had a lot to say. I loved how the author world together that along with a beautiful police procedural that was done well.
Ending: the ending was rather good, and I felt like it wrapped up the story very well. I loved meeting and learning about all of Caroline’s alters, and this book really made you want the best for her
Genre: Suspense
•••
My Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
melissadelongcox's review
1.0
*thanks to netgalley + grove atlantic for the arc!*
likes: interesting concept, having multiple personalities in one body and telling the story from all of them. lots of things happening quickly.
dislikes: lots of things happening quickly, many weren't fully developed so it felt like things were just happening to happen. i felt like there was a lot that was left unexplained. i don't typically get confused but i felt confused often throughout the book.
likes: interesting concept, having multiple personalities in one body and telling the story from all of them. lots of things happening quickly.
dislikes: lots of things happening quickly, many weren't fully developed so it felt like things were just happening to happen. i felt like there was a lot that was left unexplained. i don't typically get confused but i felt confused often throughout the book.
elisabeth1st's review
4.0
Loved this fast paced psychological mystery. Many plot twists and an unexpected ending. Predictable macho cop activity. I'd be interested to know the true identity of author A.F. Carter. I'm guessing a male from the New England area.
mmmbakes's review
2.0
I am so curious to know if AF Carter is a man or if they have any background in psych.
Ultimately, wasn't a huge fan. I didn't really feel like there was much mystery/thrill/whatever genre this is trying to be. I have faint memories of reading another book with a similar premise.
I did like how the different personalities described each other; it reminded me not to take any of their viewpoints as certainty and rather remember that everyone can view the same event differently through their own lens.
What was with the affair with the police officer????? Wildly inappropriate, and what would have happened if she ended up getting arrested?? And then he's just like ya policing is NOT for me la de dah
What I remember most about this book is how often they described the temperature (which meant little to me since I'm not American).
Ultimately, wasn't a huge fan. I didn't really feel like there was much mystery/thrill/whatever genre this is trying to be. I have faint memories of reading another book with a similar premise.
I did like how the different personalities described each other; it reminded me not to take any of their viewpoints as certainty and rather remember that everyone can view the same event differently through their own lens.
What was with the affair with the police officer????? Wildly inappropriate, and what would have happened if she ended up getting arrested?? And then he's just like ya policing is NOT for me la de dah
What I remember most about this book is how often they described the temperature (which meant little to me since I'm not American).
debrastjames's review
4.0
This book was ah-mazing!
I give it 4.5 stars because I was drawn into this story.
I felt her pain, her confusion.
I wanted her to have her HEA, and while that wasn't clearly stated, I still very much enjoyed the story of Carolyn Grand—multi.
I give it 4.5 stars because I was drawn into this story.
I felt her pain, her confusion.
I wanted her to have her HEA, and while that wasn't clearly stated, I still very much enjoyed the story of Carolyn Grand—multi.
lindsaymay92's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? N/A
4.0
allykhat328's review
2.0
This one is a hard review to write and rate mostly because there were a few off comments in there I felt to be racist. I re read both the sentences i thought to be racist and saw no reason as to why they needed to be in the book which put me off which was sad because until that point I was enjoying the book.
Also had some interesting content revolving around the police which is pretty fitting and most probably highly accurate in reflection of what is going on in the world at the moment in regards to the police.
So you are following Carolyn grand who has dissociative identity disorder aka multiple personalities. There are 7 different personalities all vastly different. Carolyn grew up being abused by her father then went into the foster system. After an incident happens that involves the police she is ordered to see a psychiatrist. Drama ensues.
The premise, very different and very intriguing. I enjoyed the writing and the cast of characters. Like other reviewers have said I think this would be a great movie. The ending was a bit eh, could see it coming. I could see people with or who know people with DID might not like that ending and the portrayal but that is merely a guess on part.
Could have been a 3 star but had to bump it down to 2 purely because of the questionable racial comments
Also had some interesting content revolving around the police which is pretty fitting and most probably highly accurate in reflection of what is going on in the world at the moment in regards to the police.
So you are following Carolyn grand who has dissociative identity disorder aka multiple personalities. There are 7 different personalities all vastly different. Carolyn grew up being abused by her father then went into the foster system. After an incident happens that involves the police she is ordered to see a psychiatrist. Drama ensues.
The premise, very different and very intriguing. I enjoyed the writing and the cast of characters. Like other reviewers have said I think this would be a great movie. The ending was a bit eh, could see it coming. I could see people with or who know people with DID might not like that ending and the portrayal but that is merely a guess on part.
Could have been a 3 star but had to bump it down to 2 purely because of the questionable racial comments
brenluvsbooks's review
5.0
Wow! Great suspense/mystery novel.
Enjoyed getting to know each "character", and what made them tick.
The pace is fast, and it grabs you from page one.
Great read.
Enjoyed getting to know each "character", and what made them tick.
The pace is fast, and it grabs you from page one.
Great read.