junegloome's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
emmiee's review
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
ispeakbooknerd's review against another edition
4.0
When Mina first met Oscar, she told him she was bisexual, a vegetarian and on meds. He chose to marry her anyhow. Six months later he is called by the NYPD to come pick her up from the George Washington Bridge. The officers thought she intended to jump. As an attempt to help her heal, they decide to live temporarily in London. The idea is that Mina will focus on her research for a paper on the 'Women Who Survived' (mythological women who survived in the tales they were in). What actually happens is the stress of all that has happened in his short marriage to Mina hits Oscar hard, and he needs a break, and she grows attracted to his childhood friend, Phoebe, all while trying to come to terms with her sadness.
The main characters in this novel are tangible. Note that I didn't say likable. There were times I really thought Oscar was a jerk and Mina was the biggest fool. If anything, in my opinion, that's an argument for how real they felt. I wanted to shake them!
The book is more of a study on mental health and how it can complicate already complicated enough relationships. It wasn't an exciting plot, but I never wanted to put the book down either. It was very well written. Rowan Hisayo Buchanan uses language beautifully, definitely going above and beyond what was called for in the story. In fact, I highlighted in my Kindle app before I even -started- the story, in the dedication. I loved it. It perfectly sums it up. Let me share:
--Dedicated--
To everyone who struggles with black dogs or inner demons or any shape of sadness.
The settings of New York, Washington State, and London were all appropriate enough. Most of the real action occurred in our characters' minds, however, so the physical settings were neither here nor there.
This is a tough book to recommend. It won't be everyone's cup of tea. If you enjoy books that probe mental health and/or the complexities of relationships, it's for you.
The main characters in this novel are tangible. Note that I didn't say likable. There were times I really thought Oscar was a jerk and Mina was the biggest fool. If anything, in my opinion, that's an argument for how real they felt. I wanted to shake them!
The book is more of a study on mental health and how it can complicate already complicated enough relationships. It wasn't an exciting plot, but I never wanted to put the book down either. It was very well written. Rowan Hisayo Buchanan uses language beautifully, definitely going above and beyond what was called for in the story. In fact, I highlighted in my Kindle app before I even -started- the story, in the dedication. I loved it. It perfectly sums it up. Let me share:
--Dedicated--
To everyone who struggles with black dogs or inner demons or any shape of sadness.
The settings of New York, Washington State, and London were all appropriate enough. Most of the real action occurred in our characters' minds, however, so the physical settings were neither here nor there.
This is a tough book to recommend. It won't be everyone's cup of tea. If you enjoy books that probe mental health and/or the complexities of relationships, it's for you.
gentlyglowing's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
thomasgoddard's review against another edition
2.0
This is going to be a very short review. I really did want to like this one. The blurb sounded really really interesting. It just failed to deliver what it promised.
First the good. The story explores some decent ground in relation to the way mental health can warp your perspective and responses to people and the world generally.
The relationships are blurred but it's refreshingly honest as a representation of what real people's connections are like. They ebb, flow, fade, resurge, implode, expand.
Now for the bad. This book is terribly mediocre. I mean, painfully so.
It's about a bunch of rich people who bump into each other and prompt a flickering newness that is presented like a magic spell that reinvigorates the depressed character. Somewhat anyway. It's not a very powerful spell.
I found myself annoyed by the privilege. Bored by the lack of real character development. Then unsatisfied by the ending.
If this is on your TBR pile. I'd swerve it until you find yourself with absolutely nothing else to read.
Rating: ⭐⭐✨ (2.5)
First the good. The story explores some decent ground in relation to the way mental health can warp your perspective and responses to people and the world generally.
The relationships are blurred but it's refreshingly honest as a representation of what real people's connections are like. They ebb, flow, fade, resurge, implode, expand.
Now for the bad. This book is terribly mediocre. I mean, painfully so.
It's about a bunch of rich people who bump into each other and prompt a flickering newness that is presented like a magic spell that reinvigorates the depressed character. Somewhat anyway. It's not a very powerful spell.
I found myself annoyed by the privilege. Bored by the lack of real character development. Then unsatisfied by the ending.
If this is on your TBR pile. I'd swerve it until you find yourself with absolutely nothing else to read.
Rating: ⭐⭐✨ (2.5)
souljaleonn's review
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.0
mstormer's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-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
3.5
laraa191's review against another edition
challenging
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
3.75
whogivesabook's review against another edition
2.0
This is going to be a very short review. I really did want to like this one. The blurb sounded really really interesting. It just failed to deliver what it promised.
First the good. The story explores some decent ground in relation to the way mental health can warp your perspective and responses to people and the world generally.
The relationships are blurred but it's refreshingly honest as a representation of what real people's connections are like. They ebb, flow, fade, resurge, implode, expand.
Now for the bad. This book is terribly mediocre. I mean, painfully so.
It's about a bunch of rich people who bump into each other and prompt a flickering newness that is presented like a magic spell that reinvigorates the depressed character. Somewhat anyway. It's not a very powerful spell.
I found myself annoyed by the privilege. Bored by the lack of real character development. Then unsatisfied by the ending.
If this is on your TBR pile. I'd swerve it until you find yourself with absolutely nothing else to read.
Rating: ⭐⭐✨ (2.5)
First the good. The story explores some decent ground in relation to the way mental health can warp your perspective and responses to people and the world generally.
The relationships are blurred but it's refreshingly honest as a representation of what real people's connections are like. They ebb, flow, fade, resurge, implode, expand.
Now for the bad. This book is terribly mediocre. I mean, painfully so.
It's about a bunch of rich people who bump into each other and prompt a flickering newness that is presented like a magic spell that reinvigorates the depressed character. Somewhat anyway. It's not a very powerful spell.
I found myself annoyed by the privilege. Bored by the lack of real character development. Then unsatisfied by the ending.
If this is on your TBR pile. I'd swerve it until you find yourself with absolutely nothing else to read.
Rating: ⭐⭐✨ (2.5)