Reviews

Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow

anastassia31's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

1.75

teodoraflorentinaa's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-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

5.0

Speechless. I couldn't put it down. Charlie's story is one that everyone shall read, regardless of the age. She is a strong soul with a shield full of scars. She found her voice, her inner strength, regardless of the fact that everything in her life couldn't go worse.
I cried, I smiled, I even related to Charlie in some ways, especially when she was describing how lonely she felt. I am so glad I picked this book up and I will never stop recommending it. Charlie's voice has to be spread everywhere. Girl in Pieces is truly a heart warming and empowering book which proves that no matter how hard life gets, even if you're in the darkest spot, you can always return to light because there is a strength in everyone bigger than anything else. You just have to be brave enough to find it!

P.S. If you read this book, don't skip the author's note. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug use, and Self harm

Moderate: Rape and Suicide

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

rantsandreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

Girl in Pieces is the kind of book that hits hard, especially when it resonates with certain feelings and experiences deep within you. The scattered beginning perfectly mirrors the feeling of being broken, and as the narrative gradually flows into a more coherent storyline, it almost mimics the way one pieces together a shattered sense of self—something I found profoundly recognizable in my own journey growing up.

Protagonist, Charlie, faces multitudes of trauma—from self-harm and homelessness to devastating betrayals by those she loved. Her pain is visceral, but her slow climb out of the darkness, surrounded by a cast of imperfect, often equally-broken characters, speaks to anyone who has ever felt trapped by their own bleakness. The novel’s message of hope through self-love and survival, even when it feels impossible, is something I deeply connected with. 

I found myself reading the last quarter through tear-filled eyes. The wrap up was painful and beautifully cathartic. There’s such an eloquence in the way Charlie’s journey of trying to contribute to the world, rather than being lost within herself and the darkness is written by the author.

Ultimately, this was a bit of a gut-punch of a novel for me, one that doesn’t cower from the harshness of reality but still manages to leave room for redemption. If I had read this in my youth, I would’ve seen it more as a survival guide than a story. I really admired the way Glasgow weaves meaningful words together when tackling such dark themes. 

akramer221's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

danielledufon's review against another edition

challenging dark 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

4.0

tianaspencer15's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad

3.5

bookly68's review against another edition

5.0

Audible Review:

Phenomenal!!! This story is so important, to let others who suffer from mental illness know that they are not alone. Especially, in this particular story, cutters. With all their scars showing on the outside, but the truest ones hidden on the inside. How they fight to go on in life, find their outlet to deal with what’s trapped inside. With Charlie her outlet was drawing. But also that group of true, and healthy, friends that you can talk to.

The author did an amazing job on this story, getting the message across in a way that we felt it and all the struggles Charlie dealt with. The narrators did a great job of taking the story and giving it life!!! Truly a touching story that I will NEVER forget!!!

vale_colonna's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

bj66rk's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

"like a dog i wait for him at night. like a dog, now, stupidly, i only want him to pet me, love me, not leave, and that makes me suddenly, blazingly angry and sad all at once, which feels like a fire inside me."

— if i had finished this book at home instead of work, i definitely would have cried lol i felt the tears coming ... this is a very tough read but it's very inspiring! recovery isnt a linear process, and i love how this book expands on different struggles and how each character reacts to and heals from their addictions and traumas. despite the tough content, this book feels like a warm hug as the newfound community around charlotte lifts her into healing. its a book that leaves you smiling with tears in your eyes, and i dont regret reading it at all.

lexicarney526's review against another edition

dark emotional lighthearted sad fast-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

4.75