cheyenneisreading's review
4.0
I picked this book up randomly at my library as I was curious how this story would be handled. It was oppressive, claustrophobic, emotional. I felt so deeply for Karuna, wanting the best for her, wanting her to have her freedom. The emotional abuse is tough to read, just a warning, as you really do feel it with each page. So we’ll written and edited as well. Every word has its purpose and place.
briaraq's review
3.0
This writing style is not my favorite and family trauma is not exactly what I wanted to read. I knew Karuna’s relationship with her mom was gonna be bad but not that bad. Fuck Karuna’s mom. I don’t blame Karuna’s dad for leaving but I do blame him for leaving Karuna there.
dreamingofeternalreading's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.25
theunrealerin's review
fast-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
5.0
Brilliant, beautiful and moving. Another dimension to the millenial parent story.
cher_n_books's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
3 stars = Good and worthwhile but something held it back from being great.
Sometimes the beast and the prince are the same person...
I picked this one up because the synopsis hints at a difficult mother/daughter relationship and I typically enjoy books that include this topic. While that was definitely a theme, it is mostly a running narrative of a teenager that becomes pregnant and struggles to find herself and independence while simultaneously being in great need of her mother’s assistance.
I feel as though I have fallen in a hole and can’t get back out. People - teachers, friends, doctors - have peered at me from above the hole, but their arms are not long enough to haul me up. They wave and think they are helping but all they are doing is blocking out the light.
The book trudges along at a slower pace but the author has a talented writing style. The blurb on the back states this novel can feel tense and claustrophobic which is exactly how it made me feel, and I cannot honestly say I enjoyed that. I never considered DNF’ing and wanted to see how it ended for the family, but it is definitely an emotionally exhausting read.
Your Grand Mar and I - we have been like two puzzles that someone dropped on the floor. We didn’t know which bits belonged where. We were too frantic putting ourselves back together again that we just grabbed at pieces of each other. We were hasty, pressing our sharp corners down whether they fitted or not.
-------------------------------------------
First Sentence: Ever since your Grand Par left, your Grand Mar and I share the double bed.
Favorite Quote: I don’t go back searching for the Once that started this Upon a Time.
Sometimes the beast and the prince are the same person...
I picked this one up because the synopsis hints at a difficult mother/daughter relationship and I typically enjoy books that include this topic. While that was definitely a theme, it is mostly a running narrative of a teenager that becomes pregnant and struggles to find herself and independence while simultaneously being in great need of her mother’s assistance.
I feel as though I have fallen in a hole and can’t get back out. People - teachers, friends, doctors - have peered at me from above the hole, but their arms are not long enough to haul me up. They wave and think they are helping but all they are doing is blocking out the light.
The book trudges along at a slower pace but the author has a talented writing style. The blurb on the back states this novel can feel tense and claustrophobic which is exactly how it made me feel, and I cannot honestly say I enjoyed that. I never considered DNF’ing and wanted to see how it ended for the family, but it is definitely an emotionally exhausting read.
Your Grand Mar and I - we have been like two puzzles that someone dropped on the floor. We didn’t know which bits belonged where. We were too frantic putting ourselves back together again that we just grabbed at pieces of each other. We were hasty, pressing our sharp corners down whether they fitted or not.
-------------------------------------------
First Sentence: Ever since your Grand Par left, your Grand Mar and I share the double bed.
Favorite Quote: I don’t go back searching for the Once that started this Upon a Time.
bookswithbre's review
I'm not sure what rating to give this! One Hundred Days is a very strong, very character driven novel. It feels so real that I almost feel weird giving it a star rating? It is definitely an important read and Alice Pung has done a great job here.
hellbent's review
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
limeywesty's review
5.0
This book has allowed me to reimagine what is possible in Australian fiction. Alice Pung has managed to write two characters (a mother and her pregnant 16 year old daughter) orbiting around each other in their commission flat, speak to generations of second generation families in Melbourne. So very Western suburbs of Melbs, so touching, so perceptive. If this doesn't win the Stella I will be shocked/disappointed.
sanmeow's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
basically the story of karuna, her pregnancy at 15 years of age, and her difficult relationship with her mother. when she learns that karuna is pregnant, she decides to keep her in the house for 100 days for her safety, as the title suggests. i thought the writing was really good and invoked emotion, which is especially important for a book like this. the novel talks about karuna's feelings about her pregnancy, her future, her relationship with her mom, what she wishes would change, etc. and the author did a great job when it comes to showcasing those emotions. really good commentary on culture and motherhood as well. pretty good!