Reviews with content warning for Mental illness - The Illustrated Mum

Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

The Illustrated Mum by Jacqueline Wilson

15 reviews

robin_nescu's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

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

3.25

This book is not the best repesentation but it was one of the only stories about mental illness in media in the 90s and even today, it's great to see that more people are starting to include repesentation in media, especially disabillty and mental illness. But I definetly wouldn't say it holds up well today. I hope to find more books in the future that does do it well, like this had done at one point.

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berodatheelf's review

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emotional sad 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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nordicat's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

4.75

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laurenw22's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful sad fast-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

3.5

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tamara_danielle's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad 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

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megelizabeth's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.5

This was always one of my favourite Jacqueline Wilson books as a kid, and I loved rereading it now. In many ways it was even more agonising this time around, as I felt I had a much better grasp of what both the kids and Marigold would've been going through. I was surprised that in some ways it's actually pretty ahead of its time; the portrayal of mental illness is largely sympathetic, Dolphin is much more worldly than I remembered, there are mentions of abortion and suicide, and children's social services are presented fairly positively. There are unfortunately a few instances of fat-shaming, but nothing too horrific for a book published in the 90s.

The story is incredibly heartfelt and I felt completely immersed in Dolphin's world. There are a lot of tough topics covered, but in Wilson's trademark realistic, cautiously hopeful way. I did find the ending to be a little bit abrupt, but I still think this is just such a fantastic book and one that continues to be incredibly relevant and important and that I'm sure I'll go back to yet again.

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