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scottishgremlin's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
At times, this was difficult to read. Martha was not a particularly likeable protagonist nor narrator, but her struggles were relatable and her story was poignant. I’m not sure I’d reread this, but I admire how Mason explored the themes of interpersonal relationships (particularly familial) and mental health.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Medical content
Minor: Alcoholism and Death of parent
abbymross's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
beckydann's review against another edition
3.0
I feel really conflicted with this book. After reading other reviews I can see most find it frustrating she never names the diagnosis but for me I loved this. As someone who has lived experience of varying disabilities/illnesses and with family members with varying mental illnesses I found it fascinating that X for me really showed the overlap of different conditions and the stigma around them.
What I found quite confronting with this book is my own personal difficulties in navigating someone with high support needs. I found the character incredibly frustrating, I wanted to skip through the book because I was getting so annoyed by her, but it’s also the harsh reality of knowing people can’t help it, that is their life and their brains and it’s powerful and scary but it’s also hard as an observer and you’re faced with the reality of that it’s hard for both parties.
The quote that got me was when she confronts her mum for hiding her diagnosis from her “but that’s the thing about labels, they’re very useful when they’re right, because then you don’t give yourself wrong ones like ‘difficult’ or ‘insane’…my whole life I’ve been trying to work out what was ‘wrong’ with me…” As more and more people are diagnosed with things people get so angry at labels and feel annoyed when people search for a diagnosis, this framed it so well for me.
Overall I did find the book a bit boring, it only got me hooked when she got a diagnosis as I related to her emotions more but generally this book didn’t live up to my expectations
What I found quite confronting with this book is my own personal difficulties in navigating someone with high support needs. I found the character incredibly frustrating, I wanted to skip through the book because I was getting so annoyed by her, but it’s also the harsh reality of knowing people can’t help it, that is their life and their brains and it’s powerful and scary but it’s also hard as an observer and you’re faced with the reality of that it’s hard for both parties.
The quote that got me was when she confronts her mum for hiding her diagnosis from her “but that’s the thing about labels, they’re very useful when they’re right, because then you don’t give yourself wrong ones like ‘difficult’ or ‘insane’…my whole life I’ve been trying to work out what was ‘wrong’ with me…” As more and more people are diagnosed with things people get so angry at labels and feel annoyed when people search for a diagnosis, this framed it so well for me.
Overall I did find the book a bit boring, it only got me hooked when she got a diagnosis as I related to her emotions more but generally this book didn’t live up to my expectations
lovellcharlotte's review against another edition
5.0
5 STARS. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
This was crazy. So raw. BRAIN WEATHER!!! What the heck was — —?! WHY DIDN’T THE AUTHOR TELL US. Probably wouldn’t want to sit too long with this one, yikes. But then again definitely want to read this again and SIT TOO LONG WITH IT. But actually brought back some memories from earlier years that I haven’t thought about in a long long time, again yikes.
Loved the oftentimes one-sentence gems. Sorrow and bliss bby.
This was crazy. So raw. BRAIN WEATHER!!! What the heck was — —?! WHY DIDN’T THE AUTHOR TELL US. Probably wouldn’t want to sit too long with this one, yikes. But then again definitely want to read this again and SIT TOO LONG WITH IT. But actually brought back some memories from earlier years that I haven’t thought about in a long long time, again yikes.
Loved the oftentimes one-sentence gems. Sorrow and bliss bby.
“They might look at her first. But they’ll want to look at you for longer.”
“…and I let myself be obliterated by the intensity of my love for this almost weightless thing”
“That is what life was, and how it continued for three years after that. The ratios changing on their own, broken, completely fine, a holiday, a leaking pipe, new sheets, happy birthday, a technician between nine and three, a bird flew into the window, I want to die, please, I can’t breathe, I think it’s a lunch thing I love you, I can’t do this anymore, both of us thinking it would be like that forever. “
“That is what life was, and how it continued for three years after that. The ratios changing on their own, broken, completely fine, a holiday, a leaking pipe, new sheets, happy birthday, a technician between nine and three, a bird flew into the window, I want to die, please, I can’t breathe, I think it’s a lunch thing I love you, I can’t do this anymore, both of us thinking it would be like that forever. “
“Martha, when you are in a room, nobody wants to walk to anybody else. Why is that, if not for the life you have lived, as someone who has been refined by fire?”
“I said goodbye and it wasn’t enough, one word, too quotidian to contain the end of the world.”
“I said goodbye and it wasn’t enough, one word, too quotidian to contain the end of the world.”
ld87's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
kazk's review against another edition
5.0
Devastating, funny, poignant, awkward and hopeful. Easily one of my favourite reads of 2020.
mariahs_reads's review against another edition
5.0
- I loved every second of reading this book. I laughed out loud at moments of wit and the banter and dialogue reminded of the show Fleabag.
-very moving story of all the elements of love. Love
for family, oneself, and partners- and not all of it is pretty to read. Very honest.
-very moving story of all the elements of love. Love
for family, oneself, and partners- and not all of it is pretty to read. Very honest.
sashajane19's review against another edition
5.0
This book was difficult at times but also so tender and mostly SO funny. I laughed out loud while reading more times than I can count - the sisters’ relationship at the core was extremely beautifully drawn. 4.5 stars rounded up!