Reviews

Torch by Cheryl Strayed

hartsea's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad

• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

kerryamchugh's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-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

Somehow, despite rereading TBT more times than I can count, I've never read Torch. Perhaps because it is gut-wrenchingly sad, or perhaps because I was worried it would change my perception of Strayed as a writer. 

While it IS gut-wrenchingly sad, it didn't at all change my perception of Strayed's skills. This is a novel made up of characters, not plot, zooming in and out of the very mundane, yet enormous, reactions they each have to grief - so different as to send what was once a close-knit family scattered in many directions. 

Major tw for grief, loss, cancer.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Infidelity

Minor: Drug abuse and Drug use

ladydzra's review against another edition

1.0

I can't. I just can't read this. I -adore- Cheryl Strayed, but this book. The characters. I hate them all. I can't finish it.

sunnie's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-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

2.75

annaventure's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

brennaplant's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This book was very good and eye opening to the world of grief, but it was difficult to read due to the sad nature of the book

gpittfield's review

3.0

Slow to start, but this is a touching story of family and it's trials.

lriopel's review against another edition

4.0

Cheryl Strayed is just a brilliant writer. I will read anything she ever writes. This was such a simple story, but the characters were so well constructed and real. I really enjoyed it.

izzy_reads7's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-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

3.5

marciamcnally2002's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5