The point where this novel went from disappointing to fantastic for me was the scene in which Miranda descended the stairs of The Canny Man to find the Weird Brethren and it began resembling something like Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. The three men here play the part of the “gentleman with thistle-down hair” in Susanna Clarke’s incredible epic, and Miranda is in the role of Lady Pole. The world of Faery (or witchcraft) may restore life (or health) but it wants something in return - “a good show”, which will exact a horrific toll on its mortal beneficiary, who is summoned to the uncanny kingdom of the supernatural to provide the desired entertainment.

Before this point, something like 2/3 of the way through the novel, I was less than enthused with the grinding repetitions of things the reader has been told already, and then by Miranda’s wildly increasing mental instability once she sloughs off her pain. The Weird Brethren had been introduced but there was a long, long stretch without them. Then they blessedly reappeared and, dare I say it, all was well. For me, I mean… for Miranda, not so much!

So I do greatly wish the novel had gone JS&MN much sooner than it did. More of the Weird Brethren and less of physical therapists and boy toys would have done me nicely. In the end I’d probably give it a 3.5, rounding up to 4 because the final stretch was the good stuff. ( )

All’s Well by Mona Awad

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Mona Awad's writing gets me so excited as a reader. I am obsessed with Bunny and I loved All's Well too! I read it twice through, and I wrote
a long blog post with my thoughts and analysis.


You can do and read that if you want (obviously it contains lots of spoilers and quotes etc!), but here I will just stick a Mini Review!

I loved it, obviously.

- A twisty unreliable narrator that goes from sympathetic to the villain in her own story!
- The writing is clever, and viscerally describes the experience of chronic pain (clearly from the author's own experiences) and misogyny in a medical establishment run by men. I am obsessed with Mona Awad's writing, its so confident and her voice is so strong. She immediately has me.
- Delicious Shakespearean witchcraft, references and themes as the novel hangs between Macbeth and All’s Well That Ends Well.
- Atmospheric, visual and spooky, it gave me David Lynch (Twin Peaks) vibes.
- It does have an ambiguous ending that not all readers may love, but thematically I think its fitting.

If you did enjoy Bunny, then I think you’ll enjoy this one too! It’s narrative is more straightforward and it doesn’t have the guts and gore!



View all my reviews ( )

Definitely one of those “what did I just read” books. Super original and compelling, but the ending felt a bit unearned. I still recommend it. ( )

Frankly, I loved Bunny so much there was no way I was going to be anything but disappointed with this book. And then I wasn't at all. I was fully unprepared to love it as much as I do. I mean, the struggles with chronic illness, the feminism - even the Shakespeare - so perfectly fit the niche that is me that it felt like a birthday present. But I've also never read an unlikable, unreliable narrator that is so likable and relatable. Anyway, great book, I loved it. I continue to be a Mona Awad fan!

Thanks to Netgalley! ( )

Bitches be crazy. ( )