A review by terrimisu
Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Ordinary Human Failings follows the aftermath in which a ten-year-old little girl is killed and suspicions point towards little Lucy Green. Amidst the investigation led by Tom Hargreaves and from the investigation, we slowly uncover the generational traumas that have occurred amongst the Green family.

I can already say this is one of my top reads of 2024. I enjoyed every second reading Ordinary Human Failings and was more than just impressed by how far this surpassed Megan Nolan’s Acts of Desperation. I loved Acts of Desperation but I think I can confidently say that I love Ordinary Human Failings even more for a myriad of reasons. I truly appreciated the frequent POV and time jumps, the gruesomeness, and the authenticity in which individual faults can lead up to such a catastrophic set of events. I got to learn more about each Green member and how their life took a turn for the worst, which ultimately changed the trajectory of their lives in their own way (whether it be a minor or major fault). It was quite fascinating how the life of Lucy Green was greatly affected prior to her own conception merely from the ordinary human failings of her family. Somehow all very separate traumatic experiences meet one another and manifest into something greater than it is which gravely leads to Lucy’s own ordinary human failing; an unthinkable act that was least expected. Ordinary Human Failings is something everyone needs to experience once in life and it's a beautiful piece of work that must be acknowledged for what it is; a masterpiece. 

I want to thank Little Brown for allowing me the opportunity to read a galley of Ordinary Human Failing (and Megan Nolan for creating a beautiful novel)! I am so so excited to see what's in the future of Megan Nolan’s literature. Everyone go pick up Ordinary Human Failings in your nearest bookstores ASAP, this is a novel everyone must read!
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