Scan barcode
berodatheelf's review
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Self harm, Vomit, Medical trauma, and Suicide attempt
laurenw22's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Vomit, and Alcohol
megelizabeth's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Self harm
Minor: Suicide attempt
bethancy's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Mental illness, Self harm, and Suicide attempt