A review by czoltak
The Quiet and the Loud by Helena Fox
challenging
dark
emotional
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
I cannot believe this wasn’t a 5⭐️ read 😭
Helena Fox’s previous novel, How It Feels to Float, was such an important story for me and one of my all time absolute favorite books. This just fell flat in comparison. The story was wonderfully written as Fox’s writing style is so magical and heartbreakingly beautiful. However, the actual story was just so lackluster. I don’t mind a character driven story, especially since that was what How It Feels To Float was, but when the characters are not well fleshed out and some are incredibly infuriating, it’s hard to enjoy the actual book. Tess, Georgia’s “friend”, is one of the most insufferable characters I’ve ever read about, and her father was somehow even worse. I am so disappointed 😔
Helena Fox’s previous novel, How It Feels to Float, was such an important story for me and one of my all time absolute favorite books. This just fell flat in comparison. The story was wonderfully written as Fox’s writing style is so magical and heartbreakingly beautiful. However, the actual story was just so lackluster. I don’t mind a character driven story, especially since that was what How It Feels To Float was, but when the characters are not well fleshed out and some are incredibly infuriating, it’s hard to enjoy the actual book. Tess, Georgia’s “friend”, is one of the most insufferable characters I’ve ever read about, and her father was somehow even worse. I am so disappointed 😔
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Alcoholism, Animal death, Toxic friendship, Animal cruelty, Mental illness, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, and Terminal illness
Minor: Car accident