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A review by wcont
The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
One of my favorite books of the year- my heart wants to give it 5 stars, my brain wants to give it 4. I'm deferring to my spirit to split the difference and landing at a 4.5.
The author does a great job of putting you in the mind of Death Doula Clover who is put simply, a hot mess. She's regularly unlikeable but also painfully relatable and interesting. I laughed, I cried and once I was finished I felt such a life affirming joy in my soul (which is quite impressive for a book dealing with death.)
The characters are largely well rounded and complex and the moment to moment writing clicked for me. My only major complaint is that the narrative happens almost entirely in the 3rd act (seriously the pacing is a little rough.) But the thing is- it doesn't really matter. My eyes were too misty and my heart was too full at the end to care because the message and sentiment behind the story was just that strong. And in a story about the messiness of one's journey being what's beautiful about it- that's pretty fitting.
The author does a great job of putting you in the mind of Death Doula Clover who is put simply, a hot mess. She's regularly unlikeable but also painfully relatable and interesting. I laughed, I cried and once I was finished I felt such a life affirming joy in my soul (which is quite impressive for a book dealing with death.)
The characters are largely well rounded and complex and the moment to moment writing clicked for me. My only major complaint is that the narrative happens almost entirely in the 3rd act (seriously the pacing is a little rough.) But the thing is- it doesn't really matter. My eyes were too misty and my heart was too full at the end to care because the message and sentiment behind the story was just that strong. And in a story about the messiness of one's journey being what's beautiful about it- that's pretty fitting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent