Reviews

One for Sorrow, Two for Joy by Marie-Claire Amuah

bookedatheart_'s review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful fast-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

5.0

jem_1984's review

emotional hopeful inspiring 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? No

4.5

jayslibrary_'s review against another edition

5.0

What an incredible book! I am in awe that is a debut novel! Amuah is one to watch out for! The way she explores loss, grief and trauma in this book is absolutely amazing!
I will come back with a full review but this is definitely a 5 star read for me!

purpleclaymask's review

I'm so disappointed. I was really excited for this book and I found the beginning really engaging. However, the theme of childhood trauma following you your entire life was too obvious. We were told (and not shown) how her father's behavior impacted her in her everyday life. Also there's nothing that happens in this story. A lot of parts did not add anything to the inexistant story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse

booksofjj's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

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

3.75

Really enjoyed how the author decided to layout this book and it had a well thought out story

kimveach's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.25

This is a hard book to "like" as it deals with child and domestic abuse and its lifetime ramifications. However, I loved Stella and the hope she had that her life could get better. Her story of being a British Ghanaian added so much.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

idah_mrashui's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

teresa_a's review

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

bookedwithamba's review

emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

gayathiri_rajendran's review

emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0