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A review by shadowsandspells
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
While *All the Ugly and Wonderful Things* tackles some heavy and thought-provoking themes, I found the pacing a bit sluggish, and at times, the narrative felt long-winded. The story of Wavy and Kellen is undoubtedly unconventional, and Greenwood delves into difficult moral gray areas with a raw, unfiltered lens. However, the book dragged in places, making it feel more like a slow burn that never fully ignited.
Wavy’s perspective, while unique and emotionally stirring, didn’t always hold my attention. The multiple points of view often made the story feel disjointed, which contributed to the overall sense of it being drawn out. While the character development is strong, the plot progression felt bogged down by the excessive detail, which made some sections feel more tedious than captivating.
That said, Greenwood's writing is beautiful in places, and the novel does touch on important topics like trauma, family dysfunction, and unconventional love. It's just that for me, the pacing made it hard to stay fully invested throughout. If you enjoy slow, introspective reads, you might connect with this more than I did.
Wavy’s perspective, while unique and emotionally stirring, didn’t always hold my attention. The multiple points of view often made the story feel disjointed, which contributed to the overall sense of it being drawn out. While the character development is strong, the plot progression felt bogged down by the excessive detail, which made some sections feel more tedious than captivating.
That said, Greenwood's writing is beautiful in places, and the novel does touch on important topics like trauma, family dysfunction, and unconventional love. It's just that for me, the pacing made it hard to stay fully invested throughout. If you enjoy slow, introspective reads, you might connect with this more than I did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, and Abandonment
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Death of parent
Minor: Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide