Reviews with content warning for Alcohol - Sorrow and Bliss

This book is heartbreaking… and also beautiful and also messy and also so very real. It makes me sad, it makes me angry, but it also makes me hopeful and nostalgic, the original Greek.

I don’t know who said this book was funny. I would not describe it as that. It has humorous moments for sure, but on the whole this is not an “extremely funny” book.

I loved it and I think you should read it.

Content Warnings

ashleyjean6's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful sad fast-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

5.0

This is a difficult read that is also potentially extremely triggering. It is about a fictitious mental illness, but it's effects are very real and raw. If that sounds like it would not make for 5 star fiction, it does. Although bleak it is not without hope and it is absolutely gorgeously written! The audiobook is also beautifully narrated. Highly recommend! Definitely a top book this year, maybe period.

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racheljiyoungshin's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad 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

3.75

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elizabethww's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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lolasherwin's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad fast-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

5.0

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books4em's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

This book is all vibes, no plot. Not going to lie, was not a fan of this book at all. I related to the feelings of relief and understanding when she got her diagnosis, but that was about it. It’s a hot mess and the side characters are all over the place as well. They often claim to be doing their best to help the MC, but that “best” is a rally low bar. I also thought it should’ve ended at the journal scene. The ending is a good ending for this book, but I still don’t think the last 30ish pages were necessary. Won’t be rereading.

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jupiter5's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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adelaidelivia's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny reflective tense 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

4.75

I felt exposed, though I could not relate to everything Martha was feeling. But the point is that I was (or still am?) going through something and reading this book made me see myself from an outsider's view, and I don't like it. And that's what makes me love this book.

I like that there isn't any perfect character.

I love Martha and could understand (though I discourage it) how she self-sabotaged, and I only knew that she was doing it near the end. I could relate to her so much that I did not realize she was self-sabotaging. Or until Patrick pointed it out.

I love Ingrid and how she was so real for what she had to say about her marriage.

I love Patrick and how he isn't trying to be the nicest guy on earth. He's just... Patrick. He is a good person (a very kind one, actually), and that's enough for him. He acknowledges that he was wrong but he also doesn't try to belittle or diminish his suffering.

And I love every other character too.

You're the same as everybody else. But that's harder for you, isn't it. You'd rather be one or the other. The idea you might be ordinary is unbearable.

Geez, Patrick.

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