This book took me months to read the first half, and half a day the second. 

It was slow and gruelling and shocking. But it really seemed honest and true, as though I was inside Joan’s head, experiencing and deciphering her pain and trauma with her. 

This book explores many different relationships. Between men and women, children and parents, women and other women. There were so many elements that added to how complex our lives are and how other peoples actions can completely alter what we believe and how we live. 

Joan wasn’t my favourite character, especially for the first half of the book. She’s selfish, needy, borderline psychotic. But when you learn more about her life and the things that have happened to her, it makes sense and you can’t help but want her to succeed, whatever that may look like. 

I hated it, loved it, was confused and shocked by it. But it’s a story that needs to be told, and understood. Not just by women but by everyone.