Reviews with content warning for Mental illness - The Theory of Crows

Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

The Theory of Crows by David A. Robertson

8 reviews

lindssilva's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.25

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annemaries_shelves's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective 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? Yes

3.5

3.5 stars (mild spoiler in content warnings below)

This was the perfect weekend to read a book like this - snowy and quiet, with the time to dedicate to such a character-driven story (half set in winter).

While The Theory of Crows is a lot about relationships (father-daughter), and grief, dreams, and the vast distances that can grow between people, it's much more about mental illness and how it impacts your relationships with everyone and everything. Our main character, Matthew, has anxiety and panic attacks, and a deep empty void-type of depression, and this mental illness causes him to fuck up and make mistakes and cause emotional separations from his wife, and more importantly to the story, his teenage daughter. She, in many ways, is like her father in (her words) fucked-up-ness. There were some really well-written insights into each's perspective and lived experiences with mental illness and grief. The title references and meaning were so vividly described I could see it in my mind's eye.

Beyond that, I both appreciated the pace and felt frustrated by it. On one hand, the slow pace in the first half really lets you understand Matthew and Holly's relationship and all the problems in it. While on the other hand, it takes half the book to get to the inciting incident of the "devastating loss" that sends them looking for the old family trapline. The second half of the book, consequently, flew by with their trip up to mid/northern Manitoba (near and north of Norway House reserve). I would've liked more time in the second half, with our characters talking and learning about each other, and connecting with each other and the land from which they originate.

My other quibble is that it never seems like anyone acknowledged on-page that Matthew suffered from severe off/on depression. The anxiety and the Xanax and the depression symptoms were all discussed, but it was never given a name. And that frustrated me for some reason.

Overall, if you like character studies of parent-child relationships, explorations of grief, and learning to start reconnecting to the land, I recommend this story.

CW: grief, death of grand/parent, descriptions of CPR, descriptions of panic attacks, anxiety, and depression on page, self-harm

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teacupsandfirereads's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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? Yes

3.5

I really loved the story behind this book. Having my own challenges in my relationship with my dad, I could relate to Holly and Matthew.

I found the first half to be slower and definitely not as enjoyable as the second half. I do wish there had been more time with Matthew and Holly on the land. I found this but went to quickly for my liking.

I learned something new from this book, which I always appriciate.

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ceitidhmac's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
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

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jen_again's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective 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? Yes

4.25

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soobooksalot's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective tense 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

5.0

Kisinaw - the Cree word for being cold outside. This book is perfect for December, and to end the year's reading on a beautiful note.
The Theory Of Crows is a gorgeous read, the first adult fiction novel by author David A. Robertson.
It's the story of teenager Holly (Hallelujah) and her father Matthew, and their struggles both as individuals and as father-daughter.
A family tragedy forces them to find their way, and to reclaim their Cree family history and identities.
There is much to relate to and learn from with these thoughtfully crafted and realistically flawed characters.
It's a story of healing and acceptance I won't soon forget. Recommended!

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kelly_e's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful 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? Yes

4.75

Title: Theory of Crows
Author: David Alexander Robertson
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4.75
Pub Date: September 13, 2022

Thanks to HarperCollins Canada for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

T H R E E • W O R D S

Multilayered • Atmospheric • Fierce

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Matthew, has dealt with anxiety his entire life. Recently, his wife Claire, and daughter Hallelujah (Holly), have noticed he had been drifting farther away. In fact, Holly has completely stopped talking to him. Matthew, aware of the fractured relationship wants to bridge the gap, but has no idea where to even begin.

In the wake of a family tragedy, Matthew and Holly journey together onto the land in search of a long-lost cabin on the family trapline. Yet they are both searching for something so much bigger. When things go array, they must learn to depend on each other, something that will ultimately bring them together.

A powerful story of love and loss, of healing and belonging, and of self-discovery and coming-of-age.

💭 T H O U G H T S

The gorgeous cover caught my eye and, of course, I immediately added it to my TBR. When I read the premise Theory of Crows became one of my most-anticipated releases of 2022. And it did not disappoint!

What a beautiful exploration of the power of story, reflection and reconnection with the land, and familial bonds (even in death)! This novel blends Indigenous culture with an emotional journey between a father and a daughter. Matthew's letters between chapters added another layer to the story. These gave a greater insight into his thoughts, his struggles and his regrets.

The author takes a reflective approach with the writing, using beautiful imagery, and transporting me directly into the story. I could feel their pain, their struggles, their heartbreaks. I thought it was a beautiful portrait of healing, and the mental health representation came across as being very genuine, which I appreciated.

My one wish... I wanted more of Matthew and Holly's time on the land. Their journey was my favourite portion, so I was a tad disappointed that it took so long to get there. I was expecting their journey to be the main focus, but there was way more build up than anything.

Theory of Crows is one of those stories I felt inside my bones. It made me reflect on not taking life for granted, and making time for the ones we love. I hope David Alexander Robertson writes more adult fiction, because I'll be keeping my eyes out. I don't say this often, but I can see myself picking this one up for a re-read. Do yourself a favourite and pick this one up!

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• readers who like father/daughter stories
• anyone looking to expand their knowledge of Indigenous culture

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"People talk so much but say so little."

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fromjuliereads's review against another edition

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challenging hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

3.5

**Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

I cannot speak to the Indigenous representation in this novel, and highly recommend reading reviews from Indigenous reviewers.

This book covers many difficult topics and important themes in a way that is reflective, inspiring, and beautifully integrates Indigenous culture. The story centers on a parent-child relationship - more than one in fact - with both grief and mental health being large themes throughout the book. The story is real and raw, and even though it is sad and frustrating to see these characters going through these things, there is ultimately something inspiring from the arc of the story and the characters relationships.

I really liked the letters that are included between chapters as an extra insight into the character of Matthew, his struggles, and his internal thoughts and feelings. It helped you connect more to his character. While Holly is a frustrating teenager, the growth that she has throughout the novel in her relationship with the people and world around her makes the reader reflect as well.

While I truly did like the character and stories, there were a few things that made it harder for me personally to rate this book higher. One of these has to do with a trigger, so please read below carefully.

TW: DRUG ABUSE - I had a really hard time with the drug abuse that Holly's character did. There are a couple scenes where she steals pills from her father and takes them, even taking more than she probably should, and multiple scenes where she wishes for more pills or that she could take them. I can understand why this was included to an extent. However, I think the story could have been just as compelling and well-done without this addition. It almost felt unnecessary to the story, and I honestly felt uncomfortable reading the scenes about a teenager abusing prescription drugs multiple times...
The book is pitched as a father and daughter coming together over the land to work on their strained relationship. This was only for about the last third of the book. I was surprised how small of a section of the book this was based on the pitch I had read for it. Because I had gone in thinking this was the larger bulk of the book, the plot really bogged down in the middle for me when we still hadn't gotten to the characters going to find the trapline. I don't think this is anything against the book - I think this is more for the pitch/synopsis that I had encountered giving me some false expectations that I held onto.

I did really like all of the discussions of grief and mental health. I think they are done really well in a way that highlights how real and devastating both can be to people's lives, and how people cope, medicate, hide, get through, etc. Both grief and mental health were incredibly integral to the story and the characters' growth.

Tread lightly with the trigger warnings going into this read, but it is a very important and poignant read.

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