You know the feeling when you dive into a novel thinking it's going to be amazing because everybody loves it and then keep waiting for that miracle to happen where even you end up saying 'ah, what a beautiful book indeed!' but it never does. Yet you wait till the very end, hoping against hope to see what is it that everyone loved so much about it and then this worry sneaks into your mind 'I don't want to be the only one who doesn't like this book'. Well, that's exactly what happened with me. Sorrow and Bliss is 10/10 a sad girl novel. And sadly this is the only thing I'll remember about this book years later.

I think the protagonist was created to be disliked and it does feel easy to some extent to not sympathise with her. But then you read about her mental health issues and you feel conflicted. And it was Martha's voice that didn't work for me. A major chunk of the book fell flat, barely urging me to pick up the book and finish it. I trudged along with it for almost two weeks (something that I never do) and when I did finish reading it, I felt relief. Relief that it was finally over.

I think the best part was how Meg chose to keep the illness unnamed, leaving the readers' minds churning with thoughts. I found it respectful and also very considerate. There were two emotions that were swirling within me constantly; anger and sadness. There was almost zero bliss that the story offered.

I'm not saying this is a bad novel. It has certainly worked for many but to me it was a huge miss. Will I read more by Meg? The answer is a definite yes. I just hope it just isn't as sad as this one.

P.S. My review falls in the unpopular category so I'd urge you not to rely on my opinion to decide whether you'd want to read it or not. I think deep within we all crave for a sad girl book now and then. Maybe this one's for you.3.5 stars