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The Million Pieces of Neena Gill
How can I hold myself together, when everything around me is falling apart?
Neena's always been a good girl - great grades, parent-approved friends and absolutely no boyfriends. But ever since her brother Akash left her, she's been slowly falling apart - and uncovering a new version of herself who is freer, but altogether more dangerous.
As her wild behaviour spirals more and more out of control, Neena's grip on her sanity begins to weaken too. And when her parents announce not one but two life-changing bombshells, she finally reaches breaking point.
But as Neena is about to discover, when your life falls apart, only love can piece you back together.
Neena's always been a good girl - great grades, parent-approved friends and absolutely no boyfriends. But ever since her brother Akash left her, she's been slowly falling apart - and uncovering a new version of herself who is freer, but altogether more dangerous.
As her wild behaviour spirals more and more out of control, Neena's grip on her sanity begins to weaken too. And when her parents announce not one but two life-changing bombshells, she finally reaches breaking point.
But as Neena is about to discover, when your life falls apart, only love can piece you back together.
336 pages, Paperback
First published July 11, 2019
About the author
Emma Smith-Barton
3 books19 followersEmma Smith-Barton was born in South Wales to Pakistani parents. Growing up between cultures has heavily influenced her writing and she is especially interested in exploring themes of identity and belonging. Before writing, she taught in secondary schools for six years and is passionate about increasing awareness of mental health in young people. Her short stories have appeared in various publications such as Mslexia and The Bristol Short Story Prize 2016 anthology (under her pseudonym for adult fiction, Amna Khokher). The Million Pieces of Neena Gill is Emma's first novel for young adults.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
August 10, 2020
A well told story of a young girl Neena. Her parents are strict, more strict since the event of her brother.
There are many pressures on this young girl as culture too living in Britain she can be torn.
It becomes clear that Neena has mental health problems, she’s not coping well with all this.
The author did a good job with this book which I think many parents of mixed cultures and YA should read.
Sometimes we put pressure on our kids without realising the effects.
There are many pressures on this young girl as culture too living in Britain she can be torn.
It becomes clear that Neena has mental health problems, she’s not coping well with all this.
The author did a good job with this book which I think many parents of mixed cultures and YA should read.
Sometimes we put pressure on our kids without realising the effects.
July 22, 2019
As someone who has suffered mental illness throughout my 38 years on this earth, I have found The Million Pieces of Neena Gill inspiring. Had I read this book 25 years ago, I think it would of helped me so much.
I saw alot of me in Neena and I can't help but love the amazing character that she is.
I think this book should be read by every teenager to highlight that things can be an uphill battle, the struggle is real but you are not alone. Mental illnesses are alot more common then most people realise and there is help out this.
Thank you Emma for such a wonderful book.
I saw alot of me in Neena and I can't help but love the amazing character that she is.
I think this book should be read by every teenager to highlight that things can be an uphill battle, the struggle is real but you are not alone. Mental illnesses are alot more common then most people realise and there is help out this.
Thank you Emma for such a wonderful book.
July 22, 2020
This book has such good mental health rep! It's also based on the author's experience, so own-voices.
The only thing I didn't like was the overly use of alcohol, but that's a personal thing.
I'm glad I read this book!
The only thing I didn't like was the overly use of alcohol, but that's a personal thing.
I'm glad I read this book!
May 2, 2019
This is such a poignant book about grief, loss, depression, anxiety, romance and fundamentally psychosis.
It's so nice to read a book that deals with a mental health subject that is not talked a lot about in literature or really at all, and when it is talked about it is often misunderstood and stigmatised.
I loved the writing style, of this book. It was so easy to read, I flew through it in just a couple of days.
This book manages to deal with such delicate subjects while still being a heart warming read and having a cute romance.
This book really got to me while reading and madd me tear up.
There is not just rep for psychosis but depression, anxiety, taking antidepressants and therapy. It's also intersectional, as Nenna is Pakistani and the book talks about how culture can impact your mental health.
I highly highly recommend this book, it's so sad but is such an important book, everyone should read
It's so nice to read a book that deals with a mental health subject that is not talked a lot about in literature or really at all, and when it is talked about it is often misunderstood and stigmatised.
I loved the writing style, of this book. It was so easy to read, I flew through it in just a couple of days.
This book manages to deal with such delicate subjects while still being a heart warming read and having a cute romance.
This book really got to me while reading and madd me tear up.
There is not just rep for psychosis but depression, anxiety, taking antidepressants and therapy. It's also intersectional, as Nenna is Pakistani and the book talks about how culture can impact your mental health.
I highly highly recommend this book, it's so sad but is such an important book, everyone should read
May 7, 2020
3.5
neena gill said WMW rights!
in all seriousness—this book made my heart ache. had like 10 breakdowns near the end of it.
neena gill said WMW rights!
in all seriousness—this book made my heart ache. had like 10 breakdowns near the end of it.
November 17, 2019
3 stars probably? I am still confused
Being honest, I have the feeling that this is one of those novels you will have to read at least twice to fully grasp it. I was bored most of the time and I had the feeling the story would lead nowhere until it finally did.
Characters
The MC is obviously Neena, who is searching for her brother who disappeared nearly a year ago. I didn't like Neena at all and I am not sure whether it is, because I am older than her and thought of her as very childish and immature kid. I could not handle her drinking escapades and were annoyed by her attitude towards her loving parents. As the story progresses her mental health got worse and as a reader I had a hard time figuring out which was real and which was just in her broken mind. It was great how the writing style also represented the mental health state of the MC.
Plot
So. In general not a lot happens in the book. It just goes on about Neena going to parties and searching for her brother while neglecting almost everything else.
Neena starts getting involved into a romantic relationship. It was cheesy and probably one of the worst parts in the book I did not expected it to have due to have any romance.
The mental health issues are portrayed accurately, because it is an #ownvoices novel.
Being honest, I have the feeling that this is one of those novels you will have to read at least twice to fully grasp it. I was bored most of the time and I had the feeling the story would lead nowhere until it finally did.
Characters
The MC is obviously Neena, who is searching for her brother who disappeared nearly a year ago. I didn't like Neena at all and I am not sure whether it is, because I am older than her and thought of her as very childish and immature kid. I could not handle her drinking escapades and were annoyed by her attitude towards her loving parents. As the story progresses her mental health got worse and as a reader I had a hard time figuring out which was real and which was just in her broken mind. It was great how the writing style also represented the mental health state of the MC.
Plot
So. In general not a lot happens in the book. It just goes on about Neena going to parties and searching for her brother while neglecting almost everything else.
Neena starts getting involved into a romantic relationship. It was cheesy and probably one of the worst parts in the book I did not expected it to have due to have any romance.
The mental health issues are portrayed accurately, because it is an #ownvoices novel.
November 26, 2019
I really enjoyed this! I was lucky enough to get a physical ARC of this, and may I just say, the cover is absolutely stunning!
I'll start out with trigger warnings: suicide, mental illness, psychosis, depression, and drug use.
The story arc begins pretty much as your typical younger YA novel, with a girl who loves to sneak out to parties and get drunk. But with pretty religious parents who are still suffering from past griefs, Neena's life is full of secrets and lies. This book focuses a lot on Neena's individual relationships, with her friends, her boyfriend, and her parents. There's also a lot of attention paid to her relationship with her brother, Akash.
At times, Neena's character read as quite childish, but I think that's because her character was 15. The themes in the novel make the characters seem a lot older and more mature, but I suppose it's an unfriendly reminder that mental illness affects people of all ages. The exploration of mental illness was, to my knowledge at least, one of the most real I've seen in a YA novel for a while. There was clearly a lot of thought put into its representation throughout this novel. The way depression manifests itself into a person's mind was explored quite well, not just through constant crying and seeing therapists, but by little tells and small changes in behaviour in certain characters. It was a genuine depiction, which I'm grateful for as a lot of people seem to think mental illness has to be very obviously shown in someone's face for it to be real. It's a reminder that there's a lot of stigmatisation around mental health, so a lot of people try to hide their illness to make it seem like they're just like the rest of us.
I did really enjoy this book, and would recommend it to anyone who wants a more accurate depiction of mental health discussions in a younger YA setting.
I'll start out with trigger warnings: suicide, mental illness, psychosis, depression, and drug use.
The story arc begins pretty much as your typical younger YA novel, with a girl who loves to sneak out to parties and get drunk. But with pretty religious parents who are still suffering from past griefs, Neena's life is full of secrets and lies. This book focuses a lot on Neena's individual relationships, with her friends, her boyfriend, and her parents. There's also a lot of attention paid to her relationship with her brother, Akash.
At times, Neena's character read as quite childish, but I think that's because her character was 15. The themes in the novel make the characters seem a lot older and more mature, but I suppose it's an unfriendly reminder that mental illness affects people of all ages. The exploration of mental illness was, to my knowledge at least, one of the most real I've seen in a YA novel for a while. There was clearly a lot of thought put into its representation throughout this novel. The way depression manifests itself into a person's mind was explored quite well, not just through constant crying and seeing therapists, but by little tells and small changes in behaviour in certain characters. It was a genuine depiction, which I'm grateful for as a lot of people seem to think mental illness has to be very obviously shown in someone's face for it to be real. It's a reminder that there's a lot of stigmatisation around mental health, so a lot of people try to hide their illness to make it seem like they're just like the rest of us.
I did really enjoy this book, and would recommend it to anyone who wants a more accurate depiction of mental health discussions in a younger YA setting.
November 21, 2019
Neena’s life hasn’t been the same since her older brother left. Her Pakistani parents are more strict than ever. Neena drinks, sneaks out and dates a forbidden boy. But she’s losing her grip on reality, thinks her brother is sneaking into her room, doing her homework. Her life spins out of control and only her brother can help.
Emma Smith-Barton gives Neena such an authentic voice, her anxiety and distress is palpable. The writing in THE MILLION PIECES OF NEENA GILL is simple gorgeous. Lyrical and filled with passion, I felt like I was inside Neena’s skin. Smith-Barton does a good job describing the disorganized thinking that accompanies psychosis. I knew from early on Akash had died, assuming suicide was the cause. I wish Smith-Barton had explored Akash’s mental illness and the self medicating behavior associated with substance abuse. I think she missed a golden opportunity to bring his story full circle. He apparently fell and didn’t commit suicide but his behavior seemed suicidal which is why the missed connection felt so glaring to me.
I love the Pakistani representation and the cultural inferences surrounding mental illness and medication. THE MILLION PIECES OF NEENA GILL is a story that needed to be told and I hope it gets the exposure needed.
Emma Smith-Barton gives Neena such an authentic voice, her anxiety and distress is palpable. The writing in THE MILLION PIECES OF NEENA GILL is simple gorgeous. Lyrical and filled with passion, I felt like I was inside Neena’s skin. Smith-Barton does a good job describing the disorganized thinking that accompanies psychosis. I knew from early on Akash had died, assuming suicide was the cause. I wish Smith-Barton had explored Akash’s mental illness and the self medicating behavior associated with substance abuse. I think she missed a golden opportunity to bring his story full circle. He apparently fell and didn’t commit suicide but his behavior seemed suicidal which is why the missed connection felt so glaring to me.
I love the Pakistani representation and the cultural inferences surrounding mental illness and medication. THE MILLION PIECES OF NEENA GILL is a story that needed to be told and I hope it gets the exposure needed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
November 18, 2019Q:
You have a picture of how your life will be when you’re older. A dream, I guess you could call it. Lots of dreams – some big, some small. All important. Those dreams, the belief that you will live them, propel you forward from day to day, week to week, month to month – and sometimes from minute to minute. When part of that picture shatters, slips through your fingers like ice-cold water, you can lose yourself within that loss. All your plans sink away.
But whether your dream is intact, or broken, you have to be brave. You have to take leaps of faith from day to day. You might worry about things but that’s OK. You just have to be strong and let people and dreams find you again.
You have to piece yourself back together.
I grip the windowsill and press my forehead against the glass. I peer up at the dark sky.
The stars are twinkling, like tiny seeds of hope, and the moon has appeared. It’s full and bursting with brightness.
Like my beating heart. (c)
Q:
Our worst misfortunes never happen, and most miseries lie in anticipation. (c)
Q:
You have a picture of how your life will be when you’re older. A dream, I guess you could call it. Lots of dreams – some big, some small. All important. Those dreams, the belief that you will live them, propel you forward from day to day, week to week, month to month – and sometimes from minute to minute. When part of that picture shatters, slips through your fingers like ice-cold water, you can lose yourself within that loss. All your plans sink away.
But whether your dream is intact, or broken, you have to be brave. You have to take leaps of faith from day to day. You might worry about things but that’s OK. You just have to be strong and let people and dreams find you again.
You have to piece yourself back together.
I grip the windowsill and press my forehead against the glass. I peer up at the dark sky.
The stars are twinkling, like tiny seeds of hope, and the moon has appeared. It’s full and bursting with brightness.
Like my beating heart. (c)
Q:
Our worst misfortunes never happen, and most miseries lie in anticipation. (c)
Q:
June 28, 2023
I'm glad I FINALLY read this one as it's a very moving, very impactful story about mental health. Sadly the story line didn't quite grip me, so although I liked the message, the content wasn't quite there for me. 3 stars - it was good, but it wasn't great.
June 7, 2020
CW:
A very good book about a girl dealing with mental illness. As a reader it becomes quite intense as Neena increasingly experiences psychotic episodes. You become unsure about what is real or imagined along with her. The tension was built up slowly enough that initially you felt she was an unreasonable and egocentric teenager, but as she becomes more paranoid and irrational you realise her mental health is spiralling downwards. I found myself quite drawn to her as a character as her voice felt very authentic. It was also interesting to read about how her Pakistani culture impacted how her illness was dealt with, and also the cultural pressures she perceived to exist from her parents. There was also some beautiful writing in the book. A very moving book about dealing with loss, anxiety and mental illness.
A very good book about a girl dealing with mental illness. As a reader it becomes quite intense as Neena increasingly experiences psychotic episodes. You become unsure about what is real or imagined along with her. The tension was built up slowly enough that initially you felt she was an unreasonable and egocentric teenager, but as she becomes more paranoid and irrational you realise her mental health is spiralling downwards. I found myself quite drawn to her as a character as her voice felt very authentic. It was also interesting to read about how her Pakistani culture impacted how her illness was dealt with, and also the cultural pressures she perceived to exist from her parents. There was also some beautiful writing in the book. A very moving book about dealing with loss, anxiety and mental illness.
June 21, 2019
Blog Post: https://museofnyxmares.wordpress.com/...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/museofnyxma...
*I was provided with an ARC of this book by the publisher, in exchange for my honest opinion.
I think that there is a great need for more discussion around mental health in young people. And for those who don’t have the means, or simply don’t feel capable of reaching out, books serve as a great comfort and education when they tackle mental health issues. The synopsis for Neena Gill made it clear that it would be tackling mental illness and so this is what grabbed my attention, however, I wasn’t prepared for how honest, realistic and ultimately clever an account of a young British-Pakistani girl experiencing psychosis it would be. I don’t think I’ve ever read a story focused on mental health that had a British-Pakistani protagonist, so that in itself is one of the reasons why this book is so important, as sometimes the voices of poc seem to be lost in discussions about mental health. Representation means everything. I also like how the author also touched on cultural identity and how that could be affecting one’s mental health.
Neena lives with her ‘old fashioned’ Pakistani parents in a modern thinking Western society. Her parents have always been traditional and strict, but this seemed to double when her brother went missing. Neena has adopted modern ideas, instead of her parents old fashioned ones and this is putting great strain on their relationship. Neena’s not coping with her brothers disappearance well, she’s acting out, sneaking out, drinking, talking to a boy and she knows all of these things go against her parents beliefs, but it is her only method of coping. Her parents only response to this is to become stricter and make her go to church. At the end of the day, parents are parents and teenagers are teenagers and so it’s not surprising that there is a lack of communication between them, with her parents not even considering that there could be something very serious driving her actions. I think the biggest factor that blinds her parents is that their dealing/not dealing with their own grief. It was interesting to see how what happened with Akash was affecting each of them so differently. It was even more interesting to see how Neena could see what was going on with her parents, but not with herself.
This was a truly unique reading experience, as it’s told from Neena’s perspective through a first person narrative, the unique part, is that as the novel progressed, we learnt that Neena is an unreliable narrator. As the book progresses, Neena experiences huge cases of memory loss, where she’s loosing hours at a time, waking up to empty whisky bottles and completed paintings that she doesn’t remember finishing. She then comes to the conclusion that the whisky and the finished paintings are Akash’s doing. Then there is the complete opposite, where she is remembering things differently from others and seeing Akash everywhere. I don’t have any personal experience with this myself, but it seemed very realistic and was crafted with great care in order to show how her mental illness developed over time. I could truly feel the confusion and devastation that Neena felt when she couldn’t make sense of her days anymore. It was heartbreaking to see her going through this, as I can’t imagine how scary that must be.
As much as this book would be great for those experiencing similar things to Neena, this would also be incredibly beneficial for anyone to read, as it definitely puts emphasis on mental health issues and how people don’t spot the signs in someone. For example, there is a great focus on how those around Neena react to her. Like I said before, her parents just think that she needs prayer and are angry and disappointed in her. All her dad really cares about is making sure her grades don’t suffer and pushing her to work harder. And then on the other hand, her mum has immersed herself in cooking to help her cope and she’s hellbent on getting Neena to eat. They were both so used to Neena being the good one, before Akash’s disappearance, that they are frightened that she’ll go down the same path as him, feeling betrayed in a way, that she can’t just go back to how she was. I truly felt for all of them, they love her, there’s no question about that, but through their grief , they’re not really seeing her or what she’s going through. She’s also lost her childhood friend, clinging to her brother’s ex girlfriend Fi instead, who’s also coping by drinking and partying, encouraging Neena to live her life to the fullest, as that’s what Akash would’ve wanted, even if that means disobeying her parents. It’s sad, because both her parents and Fi, in their own way, think that they are helping her. Even Josh who sees her going through a particularly bad episode of irrational paranoia, doesn’t even think that she may need serious help, until something physical happens. I think it’s particularly noteworthy that her dad immediately calls in professional help in the form of her teacher’s for her work, but doesn’t think to do the same for her general behaviour. I think that this is an important reminder that not even school should come before mental health, as Neena even goes to an extreme, studying at ridiculous hours, managing to pull her grades up, but she’s still suffering mentally.
This was a very moving story about one family’s journey in dealing with the fallout of one of the worst situations anyone could experience. I particularly like that this was set 10 months after Akash’s disappearance I believe, with mentions of how they all were shortly after it occurred. This showed how grief can affect people for a substantial amount of time and how it changes them over time. I am so pleased that the author showed just how mental illness can affect your relationship with those around you and with yourself. It was also particularly poignant and important that the love interest didn’t ‘cure’ the illness and there was recognition that the reliance on them was becoming unhealthy, I also really respect how things ended up between them. This was my first book by this author and I’m so excited to read more of their work in the future and would definitely recommend that everyone pick this one up, it was extremely informative, honest and ultimately hopeful.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/museofnyxma...
*I was provided with an ARC of this book by the publisher, in exchange for my honest opinion.
I think that there is a great need for more discussion around mental health in young people. And for those who don’t have the means, or simply don’t feel capable of reaching out, books serve as a great comfort and education when they tackle mental health issues. The synopsis for Neena Gill made it clear that it would be tackling mental illness and so this is what grabbed my attention, however, I wasn’t prepared for how honest, realistic and ultimately clever an account of a young British-Pakistani girl experiencing psychosis it would be. I don’t think I’ve ever read a story focused on mental health that had a British-Pakistani protagonist, so that in itself is one of the reasons why this book is so important, as sometimes the voices of poc seem to be lost in discussions about mental health. Representation means everything. I also like how the author also touched on cultural identity and how that could be affecting one’s mental health.
Neena lives with her ‘old fashioned’ Pakistani parents in a modern thinking Western society. Her parents have always been traditional and strict, but this seemed to double when her brother went missing. Neena has adopted modern ideas, instead of her parents old fashioned ones and this is putting great strain on their relationship. Neena’s not coping with her brothers disappearance well, she’s acting out, sneaking out, drinking, talking to a boy and she knows all of these things go against her parents beliefs, but it is her only method of coping. Her parents only response to this is to become stricter and make her go to church. At the end of the day, parents are parents and teenagers are teenagers and so it’s not surprising that there is a lack of communication between them, with her parents not even considering that there could be something very serious driving her actions. I think the biggest factor that blinds her parents is that their dealing/not dealing with their own grief. It was interesting to see how what happened with Akash was affecting each of them so differently. It was even more interesting to see how Neena could see what was going on with her parents, but not with herself.
This was a truly unique reading experience, as it’s told from Neena’s perspective through a first person narrative, the unique part, is that as the novel progressed, we learnt that Neena is an unreliable narrator. As the book progresses, Neena experiences huge cases of memory loss, where she’s loosing hours at a time, waking up to empty whisky bottles and completed paintings that she doesn’t remember finishing. She then comes to the conclusion that the whisky and the finished paintings are Akash’s doing. Then there is the complete opposite, where she is remembering things differently from others and seeing Akash everywhere. I don’t have any personal experience with this myself, but it seemed very realistic and was crafted with great care in order to show how her mental illness developed over time. I could truly feel the confusion and devastation that Neena felt when she couldn’t make sense of her days anymore. It was heartbreaking to see her going through this, as I can’t imagine how scary that must be.
As much as this book would be great for those experiencing similar things to Neena, this would also be incredibly beneficial for anyone to read, as it definitely puts emphasis on mental health issues and how people don’t spot the signs in someone. For example, there is a great focus on how those around Neena react to her. Like I said before, her parents just think that she needs prayer and are angry and disappointed in her. All her dad really cares about is making sure her grades don’t suffer and pushing her to work harder. And then on the other hand, her mum has immersed herself in cooking to help her cope and she’s hellbent on getting Neena to eat. They were both so used to Neena being the good one, before Akash’s disappearance, that they are frightened that she’ll go down the same path as him, feeling betrayed in a way, that she can’t just go back to how she was. I truly felt for all of them, they love her, there’s no question about that, but through their grief , they’re not really seeing her or what she’s going through. She’s also lost her childhood friend, clinging to her brother’s ex girlfriend Fi instead, who’s also coping by drinking and partying, encouraging Neena to live her life to the fullest, as that’s what Akash would’ve wanted, even if that means disobeying her parents. It’s sad, because both her parents and Fi, in their own way, think that they are helping her. Even Josh who sees her going through a particularly bad episode of irrational paranoia, doesn’t even think that she may need serious help, until something physical happens. I think it’s particularly noteworthy that her dad immediately calls in professional help in the form of her teacher’s for her work, but doesn’t think to do the same for her general behaviour. I think that this is an important reminder that not even school should come before mental health, as Neena even goes to an extreme, studying at ridiculous hours, managing to pull her grades up, but she’s still suffering mentally.
This was a very moving story about one family’s journey in dealing with the fallout of one of the worst situations anyone could experience. I particularly like that this was set 10 months after Akash’s disappearance I believe, with mentions of how they all were shortly after it occurred. This showed how grief can affect people for a substantial amount of time and how it changes them over time. I am so pleased that the author showed just how mental illness can affect your relationship with those around you and with yourself. It was also particularly poignant and important that the love interest didn’t ‘cure’ the illness and there was recognition that the reliance on them was becoming unhealthy, I also really respect how things ended up between them. This was my first book by this author and I’m so excited to read more of their work in the future and would definitely recommend that everyone pick this one up, it was extremely informative, honest and ultimately hopeful.
November 27, 2019
Be happy. That was the last words Akash Gill told his sister Neena before disappearing that night, asking her to sneak out to a party with him. It's been seven months since he left, seven months since Neena's mother has left the house, seven months since their lives were irrevocably changed. Neena has always been a model student and loyal friend, navigating the world with Akash at her side. Since he disappeared, Neena's life is no longer her own. She sneaks out to meet his former girlfriend Fiona, hoping to find information on why he left, drinking to numb the pain and follow Akash's path, living life according to where the winds blow. Not how their parents dictate.
Neena Gill is an interesting character, her grief is palpable as we discover the impact Akash's disappearance had on the quiet and reserved young woman. Neena increasingly isolated herself from her best friend Raheela and although as a result of her unimaginable longing, Neena meets Josh at a party through Fiona, her brother's former girlfriend and the two instantly hit it off. Neena is quite the unreliable narrator, shaking off her so called good girl status in the pursuit of information. At first. She becomes a fixture in Akash's social scene, soon realising there was more to her brother than the artist, the covert party boy, a son, a boyfriend and the spark that set the world ablaze.
The Million Pieces of Neena Gill explores the turbulent and often confronting themes of grief, alcoholism, mental illness and substance abuse, issues that were beautifully written with incredible care and consideration. It also portrays the expectations placed upon the offspring of immigrant parents and I really enjoyed the interactions between Neena and her Pakistani born parents once they found common ground.
Although the reader is introduced to Akash through brief snippets and Neena's memories of their childhood, his character is larger than life. The storyline slowly navigates around his character as the central focus and how the disappearance of a loved one leaves a gaping hole in the lives of friends and loved ones. It also explores the many facets of grief, denial, isolation, destructive behaviour, self sabotage, depression and anxiety. Neena's mother developed agoraphobia and was unable to leave the house, the couple's friends coming over each night to banquets Neena's mother would spend the day preparing, Neena's father spending long hours at work to avoid the confrontation of home while seeking solace in his local church to pray for his wayward daughter.
The romance plays a very small role throughout the narrative, which I appreciated tremendously. Neena's life is complex enough and although her relationship with Josh brought her joy, it was a bandaid for a much larger issue. Josh's character was lovely, gentle with Neena and genuinely cares for her. Her brother's former girlfriend Fiona appears to be unlikeable and not only enabled Neena's behaviour but manipulated Neena and used her to her advantage. Neena often perceived her world and the interactions with others entirely different to how they were portrayed, Fi is still questionably sketchy as she's strongly disliked by Neena's parents and her former best friend Raheela but also struggled with life without Akash.
One of my favourite aspects of The Million Pieces of Neena Gill was the writing. It was beautiful and well considered. A story of hope, healing and learning to live in the moment. A deeply moving, poignant and quietly stunning prose from an brilliant debut author in Emma Smith - Barton.
Neena Gill is an interesting character, her grief is palpable as we discover the impact Akash's disappearance had on the quiet and reserved young woman. Neena increasingly isolated herself from her best friend Raheela and although as a result of her unimaginable longing, Neena meets Josh at a party through Fiona, her brother's former girlfriend and the two instantly hit it off. Neena is quite the unreliable narrator, shaking off her so called good girl status in the pursuit of information. At first. She becomes a fixture in Akash's social scene, soon realising there was more to her brother than the artist, the covert party boy, a son, a boyfriend and the spark that set the world ablaze.
The Million Pieces of Neena Gill explores the turbulent and often confronting themes of grief, alcoholism, mental illness and substance abuse, issues that were beautifully written with incredible care and consideration. It also portrays the expectations placed upon the offspring of immigrant parents and I really enjoyed the interactions between Neena and her Pakistani born parents once they found common ground.
Although the reader is introduced to Akash through brief snippets and Neena's memories of their childhood, his character is larger than life. The storyline slowly navigates around his character as the central focus and how the disappearance of a loved one leaves a gaping hole in the lives of friends and loved ones. It also explores the many facets of grief, denial, isolation, destructive behaviour, self sabotage, depression and anxiety. Neena's mother developed agoraphobia and was unable to leave the house, the couple's friends coming over each night to banquets Neena's mother would spend the day preparing, Neena's father spending long hours at work to avoid the confrontation of home while seeking solace in his local church to pray for his wayward daughter.
The romance plays a very small role throughout the narrative, which I appreciated tremendously. Neena's life is complex enough and although her relationship with Josh brought her joy, it was a bandaid for a much larger issue. Josh's character was lovely, gentle with Neena and genuinely cares for her. Her brother's former girlfriend Fiona appears to be unlikeable and not only enabled Neena's behaviour but manipulated Neena and used her to her advantage. Neena often perceived her world and the interactions with others entirely different to how they were portrayed, Fi is still questionably sketchy as she's strongly disliked by Neena's parents and her former best friend Raheela but also struggled with life without Akash.
One of my favourite aspects of The Million Pieces of Neena Gill was the writing. It was beautiful and well considered. A story of hope, healing and learning to live in the moment. A deeply moving, poignant and quietly stunning prose from an brilliant debut author in Emma Smith - Barton.
February 14, 2020
Someone gets it! That's how I felt when I read Neena's story and I think that's how so many will feel when they read this. Every school library needs to stock this. The raw honesty of the portrayal of grief, anxiety and a psychotic episode is a rare find.
Neena is simply trying to function in her new normal without her brother Akash who 'disappeared.' Neena desperately wants her brother back and is feeling attacked on all sides with academic pressure, trying to secure her future, balance friends and family and live up to their expectations especially her brother's. The fog and confusion, the highs and the lows, the thought spirals, panic attacks in all their shapes and forms, the growing paranoia and the breakdown are expertly handled. You completely understand why Neena feels the pull and push and does what she does at every stage. You also want to step in, give her a hug and help her through it. It's achingly relatable as she feels like the walls are closing in on all sides and the slim shots at happiness she does have, with boyfriend Josh and going to art college, could be snatched away at any moment.
All of the relationships were beautifully fleshed out, complex and real. The strain in her relationship with Raheela was really poignant; even though she misses her best friend and needs her she pushes her away but I love that she was a constant and their friendship was mended and strengthened by the end. Her friendship with Fi, who was her brother's girlfriend, is a really interesting dynamic that really stretches Neena into a conflict of trying to be someone she's not and I liked how this was resolved with Fi's actions ultimately proving she is a good, supportive friend but her intentions were based on a misplaced desire to 'help' Neena to get to Fi & Akash's idea of 'happy' and 'normal'. I think Neena's relationship with her parents is really well drawn, how she feels all these complex and conflicting feelings towards them; love, guilt, disgust, anger, distrust but is also longing for the parents she had 'before' is a really honest portrayal of how grief warps people and tests relationships. You really feel Neena's numbness and fear when her Dad loses his temper. Her shock when they reveal her Mum is pregnant. At the end, you feel the relief and warmth as those relationships heal and the tenderness as they open up to one another.
The strongest part of this novel is the resolution and commitment to the portrayal of counselling, recovery, the impact on family and social dynamics and the necessity of closure. The pivotal moments for Neena are when she begins to accept that Akash's death was not her fault, when her family discover that his death was accidental, gain closure and decide to work hard towards rebuilding their mental health as a family unit and she accepts that she can't rely on other people for her mental health, she has to learn to rely on herself. These were the moments that almost brought me to tears. The ending is beautiful. Neena realises she is not broken and finds love for herself and her baby brother that doesn't compromise the love she will always have for the brother she lost. I'm so pleased this book exists and I am not surprised it is shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize. I don't often give out 5 star ratings but this book earned it.
Neena is simply trying to function in her new normal without her brother Akash who 'disappeared.' Neena desperately wants her brother back and is feeling attacked on all sides with academic pressure, trying to secure her future, balance friends and family and live up to their expectations especially her brother's. The fog and confusion, the highs and the lows, the thought spirals, panic attacks in all their shapes and forms, the growing paranoia and the breakdown are expertly handled. You completely understand why Neena feels the pull and push and does what she does at every stage. You also want to step in, give her a hug and help her through it. It's achingly relatable as she feels like the walls are closing in on all sides and the slim shots at happiness she does have, with boyfriend Josh and going to art college, could be snatched away at any moment.
All of the relationships were beautifully fleshed out, complex and real. The strain in her relationship with Raheela was really poignant; even though she misses her best friend and needs her she pushes her away but I love that she was a constant and their friendship was mended and strengthened by the end. Her friendship with Fi, who was her brother's girlfriend, is a really interesting dynamic that really stretches Neena into a conflict of trying to be someone she's not and I liked how this was resolved with Fi's actions ultimately proving she is a good, supportive friend but her intentions were based on a misplaced desire to 'help' Neena to get to Fi & Akash's idea of 'happy' and 'normal'. I think Neena's relationship with her parents is really well drawn, how she feels all these complex and conflicting feelings towards them; love, guilt, disgust, anger, distrust but is also longing for the parents she had 'before' is a really honest portrayal of how grief warps people and tests relationships. You really feel Neena's numbness and fear when her Dad loses his temper. Her shock when they reveal her Mum is pregnant. At the end, you feel the relief and warmth as those relationships heal and the tenderness as they open up to one another.
The strongest part of this novel is the resolution and commitment to the portrayal of counselling, recovery, the impact on family and social dynamics and the necessity of closure. The pivotal moments for Neena are when she begins to accept that Akash's death was not her fault, when her family discover that his death was accidental, gain closure and decide to work hard towards rebuilding their mental health as a family unit and she accepts that she can't rely on other people for her mental health, she has to learn to rely on herself. These were the moments that almost brought me to tears. The ending is beautiful. Neena realises she is not broken and finds love for herself and her baby brother that doesn't compromise the love she will always have for the brother she lost. I'm so pleased this book exists and I am not surprised it is shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize. I don't often give out 5 star ratings but this book earned it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2019
4.5 stars. What a beautiful yet heart-wrenching story. I think this book is very important but it did sometimes hit a bit too close to home and I shed a few tears whilst reading this. Overall, I'm very glad I received an ARC of this book.
August 24, 2023
I love how inspirational this book is!! but I'm ngl I struggled to get the motivation to finish this book? Maybe its me idk but it is a good book, I did enjoy it but it is quite intense. very nice tho :)
August 2, 2019
A full review can be found on my blog, Headscarves and Hardbacks!
Trigger warning for sexual assault and suicide.
This is a powerful story about grief and loss that follows a British-Pakistani teenager whose mental health rapidly declines throughout the course of the novel and the months following her brother’s disappearance.
Although I enjoyed the book overall, I had a lot of issues with the writing at the very beginning of the story. It felt incredibly disjointed and repetitive but, ultimately, as the novel progresses, the writing ends up reflecting Neena’s muddled thoughts and unreliability as a narrator. In particular, in the lead up to her psychotic episode in the climax of the novel, the author’s narrative style really works to convey what’s going on inside Neena’s head.
This being said, I didn’t particularly like Neena as a character or her obsession with her boyfriend, Josh. The romantic storyline felt incredibly immature and cheesy but I also have to keep reminding myself that these characters are only fifteen years old so they’re going to make mistakes and questionable decisions.
The book also deals with a lot of mature themes like substance misuse and alcohol, and it has representation for a range of mental health issues including psychosis, depression, anxiety and agoraphobia. Neena’s mother, for example, struggles to leave the house following her son’s disappearance and, on the rare occasion that she leaves in order to attend a meeting at Neena’s school, she experiences a panic attack. Although Neena’s dad was an unlikeable character, playing into the stereotype of a strict Asian parent, her mother’s understanding of mental illnesses was so heart-warming to read about because these illnesses are so rarely understood within South-Asian communities.
Overall, this is a beautiful story about one sister searching for her missing brother and holding on to his memory so that he’s never really gone. There were certain aspects I didn’t particularly enjoy and some loose threads that weren’t tied up in the conclusion, but the mental illness representation is commendable, right down to the way it’s written onto the page.
Trigger warning for sexual assault and suicide.
This is a powerful story about grief and loss that follows a British-Pakistani teenager whose mental health rapidly declines throughout the course of the novel and the months following her brother’s disappearance.
Although I enjoyed the book overall, I had a lot of issues with the writing at the very beginning of the story. It felt incredibly disjointed and repetitive but, ultimately, as the novel progresses, the writing ends up reflecting Neena’s muddled thoughts and unreliability as a narrator. In particular, in the lead up to her psychotic episode in the climax of the novel, the author’s narrative style really works to convey what’s going on inside Neena’s head.
This being said, I didn’t particularly like Neena as a character or her obsession with her boyfriend, Josh. The romantic storyline felt incredibly immature and cheesy but I also have to keep reminding myself that these characters are only fifteen years old so they’re going to make mistakes and questionable decisions.
The book also deals with a lot of mature themes like substance misuse and alcohol, and it has representation for a range of mental health issues including psychosis, depression, anxiety and agoraphobia. Neena’s mother, for example, struggles to leave the house following her son’s disappearance and, on the rare occasion that she leaves in order to attend a meeting at Neena’s school, she experiences a panic attack. Although Neena’s dad was an unlikeable character, playing into the stereotype of a strict Asian parent, her mother’s understanding of mental illnesses was so heart-warming to read about because these illnesses are so rarely understood within South-Asian communities.
Overall, this is a beautiful story about one sister searching for her missing brother and holding on to his memory so that he’s never really gone. There were certain aspects I didn’t particularly enjoy and some loose threads that weren’t tied up in the conclusion, but the mental illness representation is commendable, right down to the way it’s written onto the page.
June 4, 2019
DNF- 60%
I was provided an e-arc by the publishers from Netgalley.
Generic storyline and characters. Strict parents, teenager who just wants 'freedom', missing sibling, etc. The writing wasn't bad, just the storyline was something that has been seen multiple times before; if you like mental health books, then this is the book for you.
I was provided an e-arc by the publishers from Netgalley.
Generic storyline and characters. Strict parents, teenager who just wants 'freedom', missing sibling, etc. The writing wasn't bad, just the storyline was something that has been seen multiple times before; if you like mental health books, then this is the book for you.
April 17, 2020
This is the first truly honest portrayal of teenage mental health issues that I have read. There's no sugar coating, no false hope and promises, just a realistic account of how someone can feel when their mental health is so poor.
I particularly enjoyed Emma Smith-Barton's exploration of relationships and mental health. She points out that its particularly difficult to recover from and/or understand your own mental health problems if those around you struggle themselves or do not understand what is going on. That perspective is not something that I have ever read about before, and I'm sure that it will enlighten so many young people.
Neena is, at times, aware that her mental health is suffering; she cannot explain why some events happened, yet she knows that she is acting out of character. I loved this side of her, because it suggests that actually people suffering with anxiety etc do know that something is wrong, its acknowledging it and moving towards recovery that is difficult. For me, Neena's character encompasses many of the major misconceptions related to young adults and mental health. Her story and recovery does well to break them down and highlight the good in seeking help and moving towards a recovery.
This book should be on every school library shelf, in every classroom and required reading for EVERYONE. I know that probably sounds a little over the top, but I can just imagine the comfort and understanding it would bring to those dealing with their own mental health, and friends/family providing support.
I particularly enjoyed Emma Smith-Barton's exploration of relationships and mental health. She points out that its particularly difficult to recover from and/or understand your own mental health problems if those around you struggle themselves or do not understand what is going on. That perspective is not something that I have ever read about before, and I'm sure that it will enlighten so many young people.
Neena is, at times, aware that her mental health is suffering; she cannot explain why some events happened, yet she knows that she is acting out of character. I loved this side of her, because it suggests that actually people suffering with anxiety etc do know that something is wrong, its acknowledging it and moving towards recovery that is difficult. For me, Neena's character encompasses many of the major misconceptions related to young adults and mental health. Her story and recovery does well to break them down and highlight the good in seeking help and moving towards a recovery.
This book should be on every school library shelf, in every classroom and required reading for EVERYONE. I know that probably sounds a little over the top, but I can just imagine the comfort and understanding it would bring to those dealing with their own mental health, and friends/family providing support.
August 19, 2018
I was lucky enough to read this book early and I can tell you it was PHENOMENAL.
Not going to go into detail for fear of spoilers, but Emma has dealt with so many issues in such a sensitive manner. The depiction of mental health is SO SPOT ON, it gave me tinglies. I have been searching for YEARS for a book that deals with mental health with a BAME protagonist, and THANK GOODNESS for this book - it is a sorely needed one.
Neena is a wonderful, engaging character, with (as the title suggests) so many different sides to her. I was so completely invested in her and her story and her journey. The end of the book had me completely on the edge of my seat, and up WAY past my bedtime.
I cannot WAIT for this book to release into the wild, for everyone to read it.
Not going to go into detail for fear of spoilers, but Emma has dealt with so many issues in such a sensitive manner. The depiction of mental health is SO SPOT ON, it gave me tinglies. I have been searching for YEARS for a book that deals with mental health with a BAME protagonist, and THANK GOODNESS for this book - it is a sorely needed one.
Neena is a wonderful, engaging character, with (as the title suggests) so many different sides to her. I was so completely invested in her and her story and her journey. The end of the book had me completely on the edge of my seat, and up WAY past my bedtime.
I cannot WAIT for this book to release into the wild, for everyone to read it.
May 25, 2020
Ultimately, I was captivated with this book, l couldnt put it down. It was one of the quickest book I have ever read and it was so heartwarming. As it was based on a true story by the author, it made me truly appreciate everything I have. I strongly recommend this book!
August 1, 2019
As the title suggests, Nina Gill is in fact in a million pieces. She struggles with holding herself together when everything around her has been falling apart. Every since her bother has left she keeps loosing her grip on sanity!
This book reminded me a lot of one memory of flora blanks ( i liked this one better) , as flora out protagonist is also very erratic, struggling and all over the place. You cannot always tell what is happening in the story because the protagonist is so unreliable.
What was most intriguing for me was how everyone around her dealt with her condition. Like it was so frustrating because I could see wasn't okay but her parent and everyone around her was so clueless and ignorant.
Her parent being typical Pakistani *desi* parent just wanted her to keep up her grade and her mother wanted to eat. And they so tactfully ignored what was in front of them as is in most south Asian families.
Her brothers ex, who is her new best friend and she hung around with was also toxic. Encouraging to constantly to drink and party , because apparently that was living to the fullest.
Although this book bring nothing new to the table but it has amazing Pakistani British rep and deals with the mental health issue in depth. Its very realistic and explore how blind people are to mental health and ignore the signs. How its not taken very seriously.
So yes very much worth the read.
My Blog | Instagram | Twitter |
This book reminded me a lot of one memory of flora blanks ( i liked this one better) , as flora out protagonist is also very erratic, struggling and all over the place. You cannot always tell what is happening in the story because the protagonist is so unreliable.
What was most intriguing for me was how everyone around her dealt with her condition. Like it was so frustrating because I could see wasn't okay but her parent and everyone around her was so clueless and ignorant.
Her parent being typical Pakistani *desi* parent just wanted her to keep up her grade and her mother wanted to eat. And they so tactfully ignored what was in front of them as is in most south Asian families.
Her brothers ex, who is her new best friend and she hung around with was also toxic. Encouraging to constantly to drink and party , because apparently that was living to the fullest.
Although this book bring nothing new to the table but it has amazing Pakistani British rep and deals with the mental health issue in depth. Its very realistic and explore how blind people are to mental health and ignore the signs. How its not taken very seriously.
So yes very much worth the read.
My Blog | Instagram | Twitter |
January 6, 2021
I picked this book up at a time when I was looking for something else. It’s a Young Adult book, I only wish I had read it while I were still just that!
Things happen in life and sometimes we don’t always understand them. Or know how to feel about what’s happened never mind how to deal with it.
I think we’re getting better at it though. Now if a child loses a close relative/ friend, there are people who can guide them through their grief. Let them know what they’re feeling is ok, it’s ‘normal.’
We learn at the beginning that Neena loses her older brother. We don’t learn how exactly at the beginning. Neena comes from India but has always lived in England. There are cultural issues with her parents but that is nowhere near all that is going on in her life.
Mental illness is a big part of this book and the author has some real knowledge about how it can feel.
No spoilers! Give it a read!
Things happen in life and sometimes we don’t always understand them. Or know how to feel about what’s happened never mind how to deal with it.
I think we’re getting better at it though. Now if a child loses a close relative/ friend, there are people who can guide them through their grief. Let them know what they’re feeling is ok, it’s ‘normal.’
We learn at the beginning that Neena loses her older brother. We don’t learn how exactly at the beginning. Neena comes from India but has always lived in England. There are cultural issues with her parents but that is nowhere near all that is going on in her life.
Mental illness is a big part of this book and the author has some real knowledge about how it can feel.
No spoilers! Give it a read!
July 13, 2020
Neena's family shattered when her brother Akash left; Neena herself is falling apart. The problem is, she doesn't know it. As she struggles to find out what really happened to Akash, hold on to her dream of art college and build her new relationship with Josh (without her parents' knowledge), it becomes harder and harder for her to hold things together. Eventually it is too much, and Neena's psychotic break brings her to a stop.
This isn't an easy book to read - Neena feels things so deeply, and blames herself for what happened to Akash; she feels so cut off from almost everybody except Josh. Her hallucinations are vivid and like Neena herself, you start to doubt what has really happened. By the end, though, we know what has happened to Akash, and there is help and hope for Neena.
A tough topic, but Emma Smith-Barton's personal knowledge of it through a friend's experiences make this ring true and also gives it heart.
This isn't an easy book to read - Neena feels things so deeply, and blames herself for what happened to Akash; she feels so cut off from almost everybody except Josh. Her hallucinations are vivid and like Neena herself, you start to doubt what has really happened. By the end, though, we know what has happened to Akash, and there is help and hope for Neena.
A tough topic, but Emma Smith-Barton's personal knowledge of it through a friend's experiences make this ring true and also gives it heart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2019
I got a copy of this book from the publishers via NetGalley. Thank you.
The storyline didn't feel very fresh - the same old problems and misunderstandings with parents, age gap, sibling relationships, a kid who just wants "out" etc. We all have been there and maybe we all have felt like we have mental problems.
Books like this is a good mirror to see what it's like for someone who actually does have mental problems.
It's a good book for kids with such concerns, and parents who go through doubts about their kids.
The storyline didn't feel very fresh - the same old problems and misunderstandings with parents, age gap, sibling relationships, a kid who just wants "out" etc. We all have been there and maybe we all have felt like we have mental problems.
Books like this is a good mirror to see what it's like for someone who actually does have mental problems.
It's a good book for kids with such concerns, and parents who go through doubts about their kids.
November 2, 2019
This was an incredibly tough read. Heartbreaking yet beautiful, it's a story of loss, grief and mental illness that twists your gut, tears you up, and will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.
January 5, 2024
I wasn't expecting this to be so painfully real but it was.
July 6, 2024
No actual conflict in the book, just a girl who has daddy issues
July 24, 2019
A beautifully written insight into dealing with loss, trauma and mental illness. Emma Smith-Barton shows readers not just what it’s like to experience a psychotic breakdown but also what it’s like to piece yourself back together when you feel like you’re falling apart.
Neena’s always been a good girl - great grades, parent-approved friends and absolutely no boyfriends. But ever since her brother Akash left her, she’s been slowly falling apart - and uncovering a new version of herself who is freer, but altogether more dangerous. As her wild behaviour spirals more and more out of control, Neena’s grip on her sanity begins to weaken too. And when her parents announce not one but two life-changing bombshells, she finally reaches breaking point.
Neena Gill’s story is powerful because for all the sorrow Neena goes through, there’s also a lot of joy and positivity. Neena fights to get better, recognises that she has to make healthier choices and learns how to open up about the tough topic of mental health with her family and friends. Throughout the novel it’s clear that Smith-Barton cares deeply about the issue of teenage mental health. I can’t attest to how authentic Neena’s experiences with anxiety and psychosis are, but it was evident that Smith-Barton had done her research. Not only that, I felt that this book was written specifically for teenagers struggling with mental health problems - to let them feel seen and heard and to give them hope.
It was also great to read Welsh-Pakistani representation from an own voices author. Neena’s complex relationship with her family and her culture plays an important part in the novel and Smith-Barton explores Neena’s complicated relationship with her Pakistani culture and how it affects her attitudes - and her parents’ attitudes - towards mental illness deftly and sensitively. It was especially wonderful to see the standard representation of Pakistani parents as restrictive and closed off challenged by the end of the novel.
Many thanks to Penguin Books for providing a copy of The Million Pieces of Neena Gill. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Publisher: Penguin Books
Rating: 4 stars | ★★★★✰
Review originally posted at Paperback'd Reviews
Neena’s always been a good girl - great grades, parent-approved friends and absolutely no boyfriends. But ever since her brother Akash left her, she’s been slowly falling apart - and uncovering a new version of herself who is freer, but altogether more dangerous. As her wild behaviour spirals more and more out of control, Neena’s grip on her sanity begins to weaken too. And when her parents announce not one but two life-changing bombshells, she finally reaches breaking point.
Neena Gill’s story is powerful because for all the sorrow Neena goes through, there’s also a lot of joy and positivity. Neena fights to get better, recognises that she has to make healthier choices and learns how to open up about the tough topic of mental health with her family and friends. Throughout the novel it’s clear that Smith-Barton cares deeply about the issue of teenage mental health. I can’t attest to how authentic Neena’s experiences with anxiety and psychosis are, but it was evident that Smith-Barton had done her research. Not only that, I felt that this book was written specifically for teenagers struggling with mental health problems - to let them feel seen and heard and to give them hope.
It was also great to read Welsh-Pakistani representation from an own voices author. Neena’s complex relationship with her family and her culture plays an important part in the novel and Smith-Barton explores Neena’s complicated relationship with her Pakistani culture and how it affects her attitudes - and her parents’ attitudes - towards mental illness deftly and sensitively. It was especially wonderful to see the standard representation of Pakistani parents as restrictive and closed off challenged by the end of the novel.
Many thanks to Penguin Books for providing a copy of The Million Pieces of Neena Gill. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Publisher: Penguin Books
Rating: 4 stars | ★★★★✰
Review originally posted at Paperback'd Reviews
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