I knew going into this novel that as someone who worked in mental health I would need to have an open mind while reading this, but I just could not abide this.
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| 1 ⭐️ |
Nothing in the summary told me this would be a dual timeline so I was already annoyed. I oftentimes find dual timelines a lazy way for an author to get the reader "caught up" without actually. having to do the work on the page in present tense (but I'm no novelist so take that comment with a grain of pink Himalayan salt). Nevertheless, this unidentified bomb going off in her brain was not explored in a way that I felt was helpful to those living with mental illness, nor those wanting to empathize with them.
True this is fiction (I am aware), but I read novels to increase my empathy, to learn a thing or two, and to grow as a human being. I stray away from fantasy novels simply because it's hard for me to enter the worlds and believe it. With this NON fantasy novel, I couldn't buy it. I just couldn't. Mental illness doesn't make you a bad person. Some of her behavior was inexcusable. Truthfully, if Meg Mason would have trusted herself enough to give Martha a true diagnosis, perhaps my review would be different.
I feel that if I want to empathize or understand mental illness more, I will seek out documentaries or nonfiction books to aid in that endeavor. I'll stay away from pseudo-intellectual meanderings about a dreary existence predicated by a semi dysfunctional childhood mixed with copious self-loathing.
Ignore the hype and praise. Pass on this one folks.
Edited to add: A bookish friend whose opinion I admire has suggested I wait and give this one another try. Ugh.... I will try again in a few months.
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