EdibleFuchsia reviewed Perfect by Rachel Joyce
In the aftermath of a life-shattering accident in the English countryside in 1972, twelve-year-old Byron …
Seriously uncomfortable reading
2 stars
It's not often I don't enjoy a book, but I found this such uncomfortable reading I couldn't square with any of the reviews on the covers. It's really well written and a good story but I don't like being in situations where you know more unresolved discomfort for the characters is ahead, and that was basically for 95% of this book. The story tells two stories: early life and later life . The former describes how an accidental happening led on to disturbed friendships and mental health changes, family disruption and misfortune. The latter tells of someone with OCD and other mental health issues, their treatment by society and struggles. There is hope and reconciliation at the end but it feels like a teaspoon full after the upheaval of the entire rest of the book. I had to sit and finish it in a day once I was over half …
It's not often I don't enjoy a book, but I found this such uncomfortable reading I couldn't square with any of the reviews on the covers. It's really well written and a good story but I don't like being in situations where you know more unresolved discomfort for the characters is ahead, and that was basically for 95% of this book. The story tells two stories: early life and later life . The former describes how an accidental happening led on to disturbed friendships and mental health changes, family disruption and misfortune. The latter tells of someone with OCD and other mental health issues, their treatment by society and struggles. There is hope and reconciliation at the end but it feels like a teaspoon full after the upheaval of the entire rest of the book. I had to sit and finish it in a day once I was over half way through as I didn't like it as a bedtime read.
