Honest and Beautiful

Loved this book, an honest and beautiful story of a family through the best and worst of life.

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Wow

This book should not be free. It’s funny it’s heartbreaking it’s the bonds of family and sisterhood. The struggle of holding on to someone who just wants to let go.

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Deep and heartbreaking

Very intense book, that combines the dark humour with the sadness and helplessness of life

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Narrator brought this book to a new level

Hilarious, sad, rich, the book does everything so well and it's made all the better by the performance. I loved it so much, I bought the book too.

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Stunning, beautiful, devastating and joyous

A thoughtful and thought provoking exploration of the idea of suicide as euthanasia for people suffering with mental illness. Miriam Toews skilful writing cleverly keeps its hand on the small of the reader’s back, steering us safely through ground that is painful at times, until we find ourselves back in the light. It’s an extraordinary novel.

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A skillful mixture of humour, wise and witty observations woven into a thread of inextricable sadness.

I am very pleased that I also have a hard copy of this beautifully written heart rending book, because unfortunately the narrator’s rather monotonous tone and neutral pace do not lift the words off the page, nor do they do justice to Miriam Toews very sensitive and partly autobiographical novel. This narration will not put me off reading more of Miriam Toews’ intriguing work, but I hope that future narrations will be more lively and pertinent.

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1 person found this helpful

Great read

I loved this book and felt so involved in the characters lives that I didn't want to end it! Miriam Toews is a beautiful writer, this story is all the more poignant that it came from true experiences. Her views on the mental health system, even though in Canada are very accurate and insightful .

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Sorrow and joy

A difficult yet beautiful novel about love between sisters and the joy and depth of relationships. I loved the different personalities of all the women and particularly Lottie. it explores a taboo subject with great empathy.

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Beautiful writing

A poignant, yet often witty story, with fine attention to detail. A gentle and absorbing listen.

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4 people found this helpful

Toews Captures the love between sisters better than any other

This is a totally stunning, heart-wrenching, witty, 'real' book. I just loved it so much. I don't feel any words I can say will pay it the praise it deserves. All I can say is that I recommend it whole heartedly, especially if you are into novels exploring family dynamics, the unique bond between siblings, and have an appreciation for dark humour. I will forewarn that it is very focused on suicide and although Toews writes so sensitively and with such an original and contemplative way, I am aware that some may not find this a book they can read.

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