Reviews

Never Was by H. Gareth Gavin

saniyajawad's review

challenging mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

zoolmcg's review

adventurous inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

This book is enamouring. I picked it up because Cipher Press have been on my radar for a while, and the blurb of this one looked fascinating. Gavin makes an extremely philosophical novel blend with transsexual coming of age in a stunningly formatted display of prose and beyond. 

What I loved the most about this was how fearless Gavin is to work with tense. We can hop between time and spaces fluidly, without ever needing a moment to catch up with where we are. So much of this novel is liminal, but the topics it discusses is always concrete and real. I think my favourite use of this were in the parts that Daniel took on Mika’s voice and experience. It was excellently crafted.

My only hang up here would be in the repetition and the over use of exposition. In the final 60 pages, I found a lot of information dumping and prospective philosophy on ‘Never Was’ which brought me out of my immersion and into a deconstruction of the story world. That being said, I’m sure this is only my experience because it was my first read, and if I ever return to it, I might appreciate it more.

I have to recommend this to anyone getting into groundbreaking and subversive literature. I’m going to keep my eye on Gavin, and check out some of his essays, too.

thequack4's review

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

covered the book in an essay and realised just how profoundly fantastic it is

ellies_shelf's review

challenging mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

illustrated_librarian's review

adventurous challenging reflective slow-paced

3.5

natbue's review

mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

zabouncer's review

challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

mutiny's review

dark emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

kirstenellang's review

4.0

Love a little fucking about with form love a little setting form on fire

fruitysaz's review

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

form is so crucial here. i loved the way it slowly got more extreme, whilst still being communicative and effective. at times, it became both tiresome and thrilling to read (you know the section i mean), until right at the end, when the language and form combine to be the most familiar thing we've seen for the entire novel, and yet the most alienating. i'll definitely be coming back to this one.