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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
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