Suzi
God this was heartbreaking 💔
Set on a maternity ward during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, it was grief after grief with no break.
Although I was totally unable to stop reading this, I do feel like it was lacking in depth at times. I also felt like the moment between Julia and Bridie came out of nowhere, this really needed some more fleshing out.
This was my first from Emma Donoghue but won't be my last.
God this was heartbreaking 💔
Set on a maternity ward during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, it was grief after grief with no break.
Although I was totally unable to stop reading this, I do feel like it was lacking in depth at times. I also felt like the moment between Julia and Bridie came out of nowhere, this really needed some more fleshing out.
This was my first from Emma Donoghue but won't be my last.
I read a lot of dark stories but this one is right up there with one of the darkest I've read.
It's been many years since I read book 1 in this series but I went into book 2 and didn't really feel like I was missing anything. Jack is such a brilliant, flawed character to follow and I flew through this in a few days as I just couldn't stop, even with such a disturbing subject.
I can't give this a full 5 stars as reading this in 2024, the age really shows due to the very dated stereotypes, language used and dialogue. I also really disliked Jack and Rebecca's toxic relationship, I get she's healing from her own trauma but I hated how she was written and the things she did.
I read a lot of dark stories but this one is right up there with one of the darkest I've read.
It's been many years since I read book 1 in this series but I went into book 2 and didn't really feel like I was missing anything. Jack is such a brilliant, flawed character to follow and I flew through this in a few days as I just couldn't stop, even with such a disturbing subject.
I can't give this a full 5 stars as reading this in 2024, the age really shows due to the very dated stereotypes, language used and dialogue. I also really disliked Jack and Rebecca's toxic relationship, I get she's healing from her own trauma but I hated how she was written and the things she did.
As some others have said, this is a little long for what it is but it's very readable and I flew through it in 24hrs. The mystery and the twists were good, I think I only guessed one of them so that's not bad.
I listened to this one on audio and whilst not my favourite it was still an easy enough listen.
As some others have said, this is a little long for what it is but it's very readable and I flew through it in 24hrs. The mystery and the twists were good, I think I only guessed one of them so that's not bad.
I listened to this one on audio and whilst not my favourite it was still an easy enough listen.
As some others have said, this is a little long for what it is but it's very readable and I flew through it in 24hrs. The mystery and the twists were good, I think I only guessed one of them so that's not bad.
I listened to this one on audio and whilst not my favourite it was still an easy enough listen.
As some others have said, this is a little long for what it is but it's very readable and I flew through it in 24hrs. The mystery and the twists were good, I think I only guessed one of them so that's not bad.
I listened to this one on audio and whilst not my favourite it was still an easy enough listen.
I was absolutely gripped by this from start to finish, it was just impossible to stop. It's so tense and it's written in a way where you can't trust a thing anyone says. So so good!
I was absolutely gripped by this from start to finish, it was just impossible to stop. It's so tense and it's written in a way where you can't trust a thing anyone says. So so good!
This was a quick and really creepy read. The whole 'Other Mommy' entity really got my skin crawling but I also had some issues with it.
As it's told from Bela's POV, it does get a bit repetitive and samey around the middle.
Also, Ursula (aka real mother) is possibly one of the most unlikeable characters, hearing her constant anger, whining and pity party was nearly unbearable.
I like Josh Malerman's short stories, and I feel like this one could have worked as a novella rather than a full length novel.
This was a quick and really creepy read. The whole 'Other Mommy' entity really got my skin crawling but I also had some issues with it.
As it's told from Bela's POV, it does get a bit repetitive and samey around the middle.
Also, Ursula (aka real mother) is possibly one of the most unlikeable characters, hearing her constant anger, whining and pity party was nearly unbearable.
I like Josh Malerman's short stories, and I feel like this one could have worked as a novella rather than a full length novel.
