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Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'
Nora: A Love Story of Nora and James Joyce by Nuala O'Connor
5 reviews
wordsofclover's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Alcoholism
Minor: Forced institutionalization and War
lisa00's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, War, Misogyny, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
After reading Ulysses I was curious to learn a little more about James Joyce and his wife Nora Barnacle, the inspiration for Molly Bloom. But not interested enough to wade through a dense biography!
Nora, a fictionalised yet fact-based account of her life, of which their relationship was a significant part, fit the bill nicely. It really bought their passionate relationship to life. And speaking of passionate - let’s just say they often enjoyed a robust sex life and this book includes many details! Theirs was a relationship with plenty of highs and lows. Joyce wasn’t exactly ideal husband material - at least by my standards. And it is clear Nora struggled at times with his fecklessness, his heavy drinking, his infidelity, his reluctance to limit expenditure to the available income and to stick with unappealing jobs that brought in needed income. While the chemistry, attraction and love between them was strained at times their bond held firm. Nora was not an educated woman but she kept their family together and it seems unlikely Joyce would have managed without her. It is surely significant that his most famous work is set on the date the couple met. The Nora in this book is strong and vibrant, yet also messy and complicated - much like her relationship with Joyce. I couldn’t help admiring her - even if I sometimes thought her life would be easier and happier without him.
Definitely and enjoyable and engaging read.
Nora, a fictionalised yet fact-based account of her life, of which their relationship was a significant part, fit the bill nicely. It really bought their passionate relationship to life. And speaking of passionate - let’s just say they often enjoyed a robust sex life and this book includes many details! Theirs was a relationship with plenty of highs and lows. Joyce wasn’t exactly ideal husband material - at least by my standards. And it is clear Nora struggled at times with his fecklessness, his heavy drinking, his infidelity, his reluctance to limit expenditure to the available income and to stick with unappealing jobs that brought in needed income. While the chemistry, attraction and love between them was strained at times their bond held firm. Nora was not an educated woman but she kept their family together and it seems unlikely Joyce would have managed without her. It is surely significant that his most famous work is set on the date the couple met. The Nora in this book is strong and vibrant, yet also messy and complicated - much like her relationship with Joyce. I couldn’t help admiring her - even if I sometimes thought her life would be easier and happier without him.
Definitely and enjoyable and engaging read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
audreybrown's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Abortion and Physical abuse
lauraeatsbooks's review
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
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