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Raspberry Jam
Gemma longs to write about something she’s never truly understood: love. Not even romantic love, but every way love manifests itself.
But this is not a love story.
An emotional journey of self-discovery ensues while the ghosts of her past cling to her side.
But this is not a love story.
An emotional journey of self-discovery ensues while the ghosts of her past cling to her side.
136 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2021
2 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 7, 2021
my pov, may 2021, sometime past midnight
"[...] your love is not going to heal her. only she can heal herself."
raspberry jam is singing a song about life, a life that is sweet yet bitter, while summer makes the words dance. it is a story of loss; a story about intertwined kinds of love that pick us up but also drag us into something bigger than ourselves. i read this novel three times, continuously falling for its charm, but each time i was captivated by something else. perhaps that's why i still struggle to express how i feel about it; it feels personal, and i feel vulnerable and exposed, but raspberry jam is truly a celebration of life at its finest.
the first time i read it, it was gemma that captivated me, our heroine. gemma, who is seemingly leading a simple life, yet holds grief beyond words and compassion that embraces her loved ones like the warmest hug. gemma, who just like many of us, drowns herself in work, caffeine, and solitude, trying to keep her vision forward no matter how blurry it might be. the second time i read it, it was krys. krys, who knows how to love deeply and tenderly, who is sometimes misunderstood, and sometimes a victim of her own self. each part of her story was nothing but raw and overwhelming pain that i couldn't get rid of, that i couldn't stop thinking about. she made me feel excited, resentful, and then safe again. i might be grateful for this character like for no other (except maybe keanu and his irritatingly sweet german which reminds me of my own habits so much). the third time i read it, it was the poems which will surely withstand any test of time about summer's talent to gift us an ode to life.
if you're looking for a great read, you are at the right place. i don't know the exact reason why you might fall for it so much, but once you finish it, you won't feel the same. i just know that i am excited about fourth and fifth read, and all those that will follow along, because just like home, this novel is a place i'll always go back to.
"i love you too. so stick around."
"[...] your love is not going to heal her. only she can heal herself."
raspberry jam is singing a song about life, a life that is sweet yet bitter, while summer makes the words dance. it is a story of loss; a story about intertwined kinds of love that pick us up but also drag us into something bigger than ourselves. i read this novel three times, continuously falling for its charm, but each time i was captivated by something else. perhaps that's why i still struggle to express how i feel about it; it feels personal, and i feel vulnerable and exposed, but raspberry jam is truly a celebration of life at its finest.
the first time i read it, it was gemma that captivated me, our heroine. gemma, who is seemingly leading a simple life, yet holds grief beyond words and compassion that embraces her loved ones like the warmest hug. gemma, who just like many of us, drowns herself in work, caffeine, and solitude, trying to keep her vision forward no matter how blurry it might be. the second time i read it, it was krys. krys, who knows how to love deeply and tenderly, who is sometimes misunderstood, and sometimes a victim of her own self. each part of her story was nothing but raw and overwhelming pain that i couldn't get rid of, that i couldn't stop thinking about. she made me feel excited, resentful, and then safe again. i might be grateful for this character like for no other (except maybe keanu and his irritatingly sweet german which reminds me of my own habits so much). the third time i read it, it was the poems which will surely withstand any test of time about summer's talent to gift us an ode to life.
if you're looking for a great read, you are at the right place. i don't know the exact reason why you might fall for it so much, but once you finish it, you won't feel the same. i just know that i am excited about fourth and fifth read, and all those that will follow along, because just like home, this novel is a place i'll always go back to.
"i love you too. so stick around."
April 23, 2021
There was a period of time when I hit a wall of sorts, finding it difficult to concentrate on or become enthralled in just about anything, but upon reading Raspberry Jam I felt as though the fog lifted and found myself being able to engage with media once again. It’s a beautiful story of healing, hurting, and healing again and I found myself reading it more than just once. Definitely recommend!
May 4, 2023
This book is BEAUTIFULLY written. My heart aches from this one
May 8, 2021
This is a beautiful short story about living with the trauma of losing someone you love unexpectedly and learning how to slowly reconcile with yourself that maybe there was nothing you could’ve done to save them. In my opinion, the book is intentionally a little vague about the reasons behind Kystal’s final decision because the book is about Gemma’s story and Gemma’s journey and knowing the exact reasons why ultimately changes nothing.
When someone exits out your life, no matter the reason, no matter whether it was for good or not, their absence leaves an indent. For some, that indent fills out over time with new memories and new people but if that indent runs deep enough, it may take a lifetime to fill in, and there is never a perfect replacement to fit the exact mold of what used to be there. In the case of the main character, Gemma, the indent from her loss is perhaps so great that she may never feel whole again but with the encouragement of close friends, reevaluating old memories and gaining new perspectives, she is finally able to make the first steps in filling in her indents.
When someone exits out your life, no matter the reason, no matter whether it was for good or not, their absence leaves an indent. For some, that indent fills out over time with new memories and new people but if that indent runs deep enough, it may take a lifetime to fill in, and there is never a perfect replacement to fit the exact mold of what used to be there. In the case of the main character, Gemma, the indent from her loss is perhaps so great that she may never feel whole again but with the encouragement of close friends, reevaluating old memories and gaining new perspectives, she is finally able to make the first steps in filling in her indents.
April 24, 2021
I have genuinely never read a book like this before. It has easily become one of my favorites. The characters are just so well written that you can't help but love them all and empathize with their struggles. I don't think I can walk past raspberries at a grocery store now without bursting into tears. I'm already looking forward to the next time I read it again.
November 24, 2021
Was sobbing by page 40.
I really love the structure the story takes.
Written beautifully and descriptive I felt immersed into their world.
I also loved the inclusion of art and poetry throughout, my favourite was the final image :(
I really love the structure the story takes.
Written beautifully and descriptive I felt immersed into their world.
I also loved the inclusion of art and poetry throughout, my favourite was the final image :(
March 19, 2023
Sat down and read this in one sitting - I absolutely loved this book and was crying pretty hard, pretty early on! The writing is amazing and really sucked me in, I felt my heart aching for the main character and I could feel every emotion that was portrayed.
July 20, 2023
Such a beautiful and moving book. I found myself flying through it. Losing someone you love is something everyone can relate to and I found my heart breaking along side Gemma’s.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews