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jj_99's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
lisalisalisa's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Cancer
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Eating disorder
gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Narrated by Alix Dunmore
Unabridged
This was haunting and unexpectedly ... sensual... I don't know if that's the right word, exactly, but I wasn't expecting how much I'd be taken in with the beauty of the water and dense heat of summer compared to the innocent exploration of girlhood and how nostalgic that felt for me. Yet, in contrast, how this sweet and pure theme was manipulated in the present scenes and used to the advantage of an older and trusted character. It was uncomfortable but I couldn't stop reading.
In tone, this kind of gave me the Paper Palace vibes, and that makes me want to revisit that title because I had previously dnf'd it.
I loved how haunting the time period and season felt, which isn't a word I would usually use to describe summer and the 70s at all, but there was this whole heavy atmosphere that was rich in melancholy and the gothic and although it wasn't a thriller, there was such a dense layer of suspense and tension at every turn.
Depending on Maeve or Ruth's perspective, it was interesting how warped the mother or daughter's voice sounded to the perspective. As the reader, it was fascinating to see how the other viewed the others actions, justified their own, etc.
I feel like the fall out happened a bit too close to the end. I wanted the fall out to happen sooner so we could see more of the direct consequences span out, but I enjoyed that we got to see more long term scenarios, which felt like more closure than I was expecting.
Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Suicide attempt, Lesbophobia, and Alcohol
larade's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and War
eleanor_rose22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I loved Ruth, I loved her playful girlhood and frivolous youth and her feelings towards Camille and the way her repressed identity haunts her until she can be free. I wanted/needed so much better for her.
Maeve?!? Pure Hate. The fact she was half the book was awful. Her boyfriend is a nonce, predator. I was furious how their relationship was mirrored to the ‘forbidden’ queer feelings of R&C. The pedophilia was so romanticised and disgusting. Hated the ending.
Gave me so much to think about in terms of male gaze/enforced objectivity of ones self through a camera etc. But plot wise it did not live up to expectations .
Also why did it have all my most obscure triggers in.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Pedophilia, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Cancer and Homophobia
carleeheise's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Pedophilia and Suicide
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
rcsreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
The mother's side of the story would have been enough although it has some unpleasant, outdated and homophobic opinions expressed. The daughters story is actively disgusting and romanticised paedophilia.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Outing, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
marymollyc's review against another edition
3.75
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, and Medical content
Minor: Pregnancy and Lesbophobia