A review by kalauandromeda
The Outcast by Sadie Jones

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I don't know if I'm the only one, but the chapters with Lewis and his mother were oddly uncomfortable, it's like the author was very much interested in Freudian theories in psychology, I don't know, but they were real uncomfortable. And most of the characters in the story are too bad, it's not like being in the grey zone, they're bad bad. They treat our main leads in a real horrible way and somehow keep thinking that it's alright. I didn't like there being too many of those too bad characters. Would have loved more of the characters in the middle ground between good and bad. Keeping that in mind, the writing was terrific and pacing was good. The way she depicted Lewis losing himself and becoming the outcast without realising was good. Well, the chapters with his depression were not so easy to read, but still they're acceptable as the story was building to be that way. Even liked the not so perfect ending, would have hated it if it was a happily ever after ending with the kind of book it has been. It's a book good to be more than a 3.5 stars but not that good to be 4 star, but if someone wants to read it, I would very much recommend them to pick it up and go ahead. The way it depicts that abuse from toxic parents is not just physical, but can also be psychological, by showing our main leads each facing one form of the abuse and both turning out to be pretty much broken is excellent. I really think one must not be too proud to accept help, thinking that by denying it makes them brave, it just makes them stupid.