Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue

36 reviews

hjb_128's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

Minor: Child abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship

pomoevareads's review against another edition

adventurous funny 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

4.5

For fans of Sally Rooney, The Rachel Incident takes place primarily in Ireland in 2010. The story is actually told looking back at 2010 from 2022 but there are many times where I would forget that and fell into the 2010 experience. That is until I was reminded of the present day story which is a much smaller portion of the story. In the present timeline, Rachel is a journalist writing often about the Irish abortion laws of the times for a magazine in England. 

The relationship between best friends Rachel and James Devlin is something to behold. They quickly become bonded to one another and that bond, while it will stretch and strain, holds for life. Rachel is also very fortunate to have another James in her life that sparks joy for her. This relationship consumes Rachel and leaves her bereft when they are not together. Both of these relationships share the coming of age characteristics of being all in and often unable to see how growth will play with these tender times.

I adored the messy characters and the writing with descriptions I could feel with all of my senses. This is O’Donoghue’s North American debut but I understand she has published previous novels in the UK. I would love to read more of her writing and will seek her writing out again. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infidelity, Miscarriage, Abortion, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

acashton's review against another edition

• Strong character development? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Medical content

Moderate: Infertility, Abortion, and Alcohol

Minor: Pedophilia and Death of parent

gracefulraven's review against another edition

funny hopeful medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity and Miscarriage

Moderate: Cursing, Death, Infertility, Mental illness, Blood, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Classism

sarajjj_'s review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity and Pregnancy

Moderate: Infertility, Miscarriage, and Abortion

Minor: Body shaming and Death of parent

lexim's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Miscarriage, Abortion, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Toxic relationship

Minor: Body shaming, Homophobia, Infidelity, and Death of parent

jourdanicus's review against another edition

reflective 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

5.0

Wow.

I don't remember where I heard this book recommended but I know I kept pushing back my library hold for it, and I'm glad I finally listened to it. So good!

I love a story told from the first person perspective of a woman main character, so that immediately put this book up my alley. Topics of abortion, feminism, friendship, complicated love are all catnip to me too.

The primary plot twist was so perfectly timed. I was so invested in the outcomes for the characters the entire time.

Just a perfect book for me personally, and my first 5⭐ read of 2024.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity

Moderate: Miscarriage, Sexual content, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

Minor: Cancer, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Misogyny, and Death of parent

mbgibson825's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Miscarriage, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting

kjm19's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

This is a compelling book. Contemporary Irish literature seems to be unstoppable in my view!

The characters are interesting, quirky, and flawed. The way Caroline describes them is evocative and playful. She brings a level of nostalgia to their world - even though I cannot relate - it feels like I was there. The relationships are deep and convincing, every twist and turn in their lives is surprising yet believable at the same time. The flow of the narrative entwining the past with the present isn’t distracting, you are just totally immersed with her wordplay and descriptions. 

The plot is all things political and societal, yet  the same time totally personal. The effortless weaving of the wider context of their world with their personal lives paints such a vivid and convincing depiction of their young lives and the good and bad decisions that they make in their specific circumstances. The ending is also satisfying. Everything works!

It is clever and enchanting. I look forward to reading more of her work. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Vomit, Abortion, Death of parent, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

bootsmom3's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexual content, Medical content, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

Moderate: Cancer, Blood, Vomit, and Classism

Minor: Body shaming, Death, Homophobia, and Death of parent