Reviews

The Coward by Jarred McGinnis

chloew94's review

dark emotional funny reflective 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

3.5

mono_86's review

funny reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

dovdl's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

curlypip's review

3.0

2.5 stars, generously rounded up

I wanted to like Jarred and his story, but, I just couldn’t. I found the first half a real struggle, although the second half was made better by Sarah, poor Sarah.

We’ve all been angry teenagers, we’ve all felt misunderstood, we’ve all had family issues to deal with; but, most of us don’t react quite like Jarred. I don’t think he was a coward, he just wasn’t very nice or very mature or very likeable

paulsnelling's review

4.0

Funny and touching, in places, but we never learn enough of what makes Jarred Jarred.

greybeard49's review

4.0

I admired, more than enjoyed this book. Well constructed and written but the relentless bleak news, bad and unfortunate happenings and the psychological hang ups that most of the main protagonists suffered from, wore me down in the end. The black humour was genuinely funny and the book is not without hope/optimism. A little to much ‘black’ for me.

dhall58's review against another edition

challenging dark funny hopeful 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

2.5

nicjohnston's review

4.0

The Coward introduces us to Jarred. Recently involved in an accident and now in a wheelchair. When he needs to leave hospital he has no choice but to call his dad, who he hasn’t spoken to for 10 years.

Thereafter the timeline shifts between young Jarred, who had a difficult family life following the death of his mother, and recently disabled Jarred. Both timelines find Jarred struggling with his mental health and an ongoing impulse to do the wrong thing (I found myself shouting at Jarred as he made yet another bad decision).

The Coward is a book with a big heart. Ultimately it is about redemption and getting there in the end. It is a page Turner and a book I would thoroughly recommend.

I listened to the Audiobook and the narration was very good.

martacava's review against another edition

Aquest llibre hauria pogut estar un drama de manual però l'autor l'ha farcit d'ironia i d'humor negre i això fa que sigui un llibre excel·lent i no un drama més.

charlottethebookharlot's review

5.0

After surviving a car accident Jarred wakes up in hospital and is told that he won't walk again. As the details of the timeline that led up to the accident are revealed we are taken back to his childhood and what unfolds is a story of disability and how our accepts this but also forgiveness and redemption.

The synopsis of the novel sounded really interesting and I wasn't disappointed but what I wasn't expecting is to become so emotionally invested in both Jarred and Jack's story; never have I ever wanted a book to finish with a happy(ish) ending more. The characters were fully rounded and 'real' carrying their damage and doing their best to start again and I couldn't recommend this book more highly.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review