Scan barcode
libraryoflanelle's review
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Blue Notes was originally published in Danish in 2021 under the title ‘Blå toner’. It has been translated into English by Caroline Waight and is set to be published by Book*hug Press on February 22nd, 2024.
I was incredibly excited about the premise of this book: a medical thriller about a drug treatment for prolonged grief. Sign me up!
Sadly, I was let down by this one. I suspect there are two main reasons for this. Firstly, the first 70% of the book is super slow and filled with context/character development. Secondly, in terms of its categorisation as ‘literary,’ it leans more towards a character study, which is sometimes a little hit or miss for me. I think I was hoping for more of a thriller aspect and perhaps a deeper exploration of the impact of grief on wider society.
All this being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the concept and some of the commentary on the idea of ‘treating’ prolonged grief with medication, as with mental health conditions. I ultimately always enjoy when a book pulls me into a reflective headspace surrounding themes of humanity, existentialism, and death/grief.
Thankfully, when I was right around the 70% mark, I read another review that said that it picked up in the last 30%, and so it did. The last part leaned a bit more into the ‘thriller’ aspect, and there was a reveal that did actually take me by surprise, which is always fun!
If you enjoy slower-paced literary thrillers with more of a focus on providing context and character development, you will love this, I’m sure.
Thanks to NetGalley and Book*hug Press for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, Death, and Medical trauma
sha's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Blue Notes is a novel in conversation with the diagnosis of prolonged grief disorder becoming recognised by the world health organization. It contemplates where the line should be drawn when regarding grief as a mental illness versus a normal part of life. The novel doesn’t stop there it also explores the use of medication with mental illness and the political, legal, ethical and personal factors involved in developing, using, and/or continuing to use a medication.
This novel also delves into the politics of medicine and medical research, which I personally really enjoyed with my having a background in nursing research throughout my nursing degree. It was very interesting to to me that the author gave us multiple POVs to consider the themes explored from many different angles.
The chapters are short and broken into smaller, different POVs which (for me) is captivating and makes it very easy to read, as I do tend to get bored with chapters that are too long. I also believe that the author and translator do a good job of making the world of medicine and research accessible to the reader with clear explanations and understandable terminology.
Overall I really enjoyed this book! And would recommend it to anyone looking for a medium-fast paced literary thriller exploring mental health, love, death, and what it means to be human in this convoluted world.
P.S. thank you bookhug for the arc of this novel 🖤
P.S.S. the publication date of this novel is February 22 so mark your calendars!
This novel also delves into the politics of medicine and medical research, which I personally really enjoyed with my having a background in nursing research throughout my nursing degree. It was very interesting to to me that the author gave us multiple POVs to consider the themes explored from many different angles.
The chapters are short and broken into smaller, different POVs which (for me) is captivating and makes it very easy to read, as I do tend to get bored with chapters that are too long. I also believe that the author and translator do a good job of making the world of medicine and research accessible to the reader with clear explanations and understandable terminology.
Overall I really enjoyed this book! And would recommend it to anyone looking for a medium-fast paced literary thriller exploring mental health, love, death, and what it means to be human in this convoluted world.
P.S. thank you bookhug for the arc of this novel 🖤
P.S.S. the publication date of this novel is February 22 so mark your calendars!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Chronic illness, Child death, Drug use, Grief, Medical content, and Mental illness
daja123's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Animal death, Death, and Child death
audreyleighreads's review
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Child death, Death of parent, and Death
More...