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ceilidhwilliams's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
jeswasik85's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Grief
hbweisman's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, and Death of parent
tayrayholla's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
_sofiia_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i feel renewed. [and un-lobotomised after the talking head of orpheus from russell hoban].
this was indeed "a celebration of life's possibilities" (The Guardian) threading through the multitude of alternative lives across an absorbing plot. beautiful concept of a library that exists between life and death and is filled with books, or rather portals leading to lives where regrets are undone.
emotionally, this is a tough read and has lots of triggers related to suicide, depression, and, on balance with life's joyous possibilities, the chances of different failures, misfortunes, imperfections, and heartbreaks. however, it reads easily otherwise, which would usually be a deal-breaker for me but not this time. sure, the lessons that the protagonist learns are often clichés, and the writing style is not for a literary connoisseur club. but as a lighter read (not in terms of mood, at least in the first 30% of the book) and as something to read for fun and simple inspiration, the book does its job. it leaves you moved by the resolute beauty and meaning in every life and reassured to let go of your regrets for the paths untaken. non, je ne regrette rien, en effet!
ultimately, the character's journey reminds us about what truly matters in life, no matter the particularities of your existence: love, social connectedness, self-acceptance, and gratitude for this one, true, root life that you've got.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Death of parent
squirrelygirlie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Alcohol
ladybug12793's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Dysphoria
atjanedoe'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
This may be a hard read for those struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts but it does help encourage your brain to look deeper. I think it’s nice the way the author showed negative events and emotions change given the perspective of what’s actually happening.
That being said, I found this a bit slow and boring. Halfway through the book, I felt like giving up cause what I was reading wasn’t pulling me in like the first chapter. The character lives through different choices of her life like an alternate or parallel universe. After the first two, I felt like my eyes were unfocusing and my mind wanted to skim through the repetition. I didn’t find the character lovable(possibly due to the British background) but she is relatable. I may have enjoyed this book more when I was in my self-hating youth era.
It is only a 288 page book and has easy to read language. I do appreciate the analogies with chess and green books (grass is always greener on the other side). There are some good literary device use here. I don’t regret reading it as it reminded me of the annoying pessimistic person I used to be. It won’t be on my re-read list, but it may be on yours!
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
hrhjael's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Cancer, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
cassianlamb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Vomit
Suicide mentioned a lot but never showed on page