Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

The Lost Man by Jane Harper

7 reviews

ellieisreading's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, and Grief

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Animal cruelty, and Animal death

skeptic_hecate's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

This book is haunting. The main character is complex and fully fleshed out, the setting is amazing, both beautiful and frightening, and the story is gripping. I found myself getting into the story more and more with each chapter.

This book details the sadness and toll of isolation in a bautifully sad way. I found myself feeling deeply moved by the main character, even though he was not perfect. He was not without faults, but the punishmet he received far exceeds his crime. Human isolation is a main theme on this book, and it is devastating, the smallest gesture of human affection for someone starved of it for a decade is so filled with joy and dispair at the same time. The family relationships were put in a very intimate and realistic way. And there is a sense of foreboding, up until the last revelation.

The final twist was surprising, although mostly for me because it became second to Nathan's feelings and thoughts. I couldn't help but to feel a kindness towards him. At the end, even peripheral characters have more layers and complexity than what I initially thought. I definitely recommend this book and will eagerly read more from the author. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Child abuse, Infidelity, Rape, and Domestic abuse

mel_s_bookshelf's review against another edition

emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Death, and Mental illness

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence

Minor: Abortion

jhbandcats's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Wow, Jane Harper writes Such Great Books! This one brought the Outback to life in all its sere isolation. It’s made abundantly clear from the first page that this is a deadly environment and if you’re not prepared for the harshness of the land, it will kill you. Harper writes so well that I felt enveloped by her story - it was so vivid. 

The Lost Man is an in-depth look at a family wracked by violence down through the generations. The three adult sons have each dealt with their childhood in different ways, with alcoholism and mental illness ongoing despite all the years that have passed. The death of the middle son has the eldest, Nathan, examining the past with new insight and empathy. 

The redemption at the end felt so good. I really recommend all Harper’s books and am really eager for her next Aaron Falk (The Dry, Force of Nature) book, available in the US in Jan 2023.  

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Grief, Sexual assault, Car accident, Child abuse, Mental illness, Murder, Domestic abuse, and Rape

readsipsnuggle's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Jane Harper is the absolute best there is these days when it comes to Australian mystery novels, set in towns that feel so authentic. Shanahan makes for the perfect narrator for her audiobooks as well, with each character so distinctly unique. Highly recommend if you want to read or listen to something you can't step away from.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Death, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Sexual assault

Minor: Alcohol, Cancer, Car accident, Mental illness, Pregnancy, and Infidelity

olivial's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

This book captures and utilises the mystery of the Australian landscape beautifully in both the setting and characters. The novel deals with important issues such as loneliness, mental health and abuse from a unique and immersive perspective. Gripping until the very end. 

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Rape, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Infidelity, and Domestic abuse

hannahdawson's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Rape, Violence, and Domestic abuse