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A review by rworrall78
Thin Places by Kerri ní Dochartaigh
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.0
I found the descriptions of real events desperately sad and at the same time, informative. They helped me to better understand a little what life must have been like growing up in a town like Derry. I absolutely loved the first third of the book.
I loved the more concrete descriptons of natural places and of the city. I enjoyed the glimpses of myth and folklore and would have liked more of that.
The lyrical prose seemed to have themes, borders, layers, skin, bones, blood, dancing, light, moths, water, oak trees, v-shapes. I can list them because I feel like I read them a thousand times in under 300 pages. All with little structure or conclusion. Those parts quickly became frustrating, I would have liked more sense of progression or purpose.
Dates and places were mentioned but not clearly enough to give a sense of chronology or even really of geography.
The way the book tackled serious trauma and mental health was excellent, sensitive and insightful.
As much to love as to feel frustrated with. I wasn't tempted leave it, and picked up pace as I got towards the end.
I loved the more concrete descriptons of natural places and of the city. I enjoyed the glimpses of myth and folklore and would have liked more of that.
The lyrical prose seemed to have themes, borders, layers, skin, bones, blood, dancing, light, moths, water, oak trees, v-shapes. I can list them because I feel like I read them a thousand times in under 300 pages. All with little structure or conclusion. Those parts quickly became frustrating, I would have liked more sense of progression or purpose.
Dates and places were mentioned but not clearly enough to give a sense of chronology or even really of geography.
The way the book tackled serious trauma and mental health was excellent, sensitive and insightful.
As much to love as to feel frustrated with. I wasn't tempted leave it, and picked up pace as I got towards the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism