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mxunsmiley's review against another edition
4.0
Extremely strange and often off-putting. There are many graphic depictions of violence which may seem that they border on obscene. I loved it, though. I can see why many readers were ultimately dissuaded with the actual obscenities (bodily fluids, imagery that cannot be described as anything but disgusting) and I have to admit, in the first 60 pages or so I was very annoyed by the liberal peppering of the words "piss" and "shit"--but those words were finally mostly done away with after that, and I found myself very much enjoying the book.
It borders on absurdity at times, mainly due to its disjointed and surreal nature, which is something I was captivated by. It's an absurdity that is endlessly fascinating--with every page it seems like there is another tale to digest and incorporate into the overall meaning of the narrative. I think the novel is bursting with that meaning and warrants a reread for that reason. I'd have given it 5 stars if it wasn't for my initial annoyance and other complaints, such as what seemed to me unnecessary footnotes in a particular section of the book: the tone of these footnotes were completely jarring and didn't fit at all with the tale they were added to, especially how one mentions "globalization"--and I was under the impression that the daughter was relating this story, who is in middle school, so it made no sense to me how she would be speaking with those kinds of terms when there was no prior indication that she knew about things like that.
I think it puts an interesting spin on the often tired narrative of motherhood. It's visceral, gross, and brutal. That's why I feel like it really isn't a novel for everyone, or that everyone can appreciate, though I understand why one wouldn't. As for me, I enjoy this sort of organic and grotesque language when it's not obnoxious like it was in the first pages, though I do admit to having rolled my eyes at some descriptions.
It borders on absurdity at times, mainly due to its disjointed and surreal nature, which is something I was captivated by. It's an absurdity that is endlessly fascinating--with every page it seems like there is another tale to digest and incorporate into the overall meaning of the narrative. I think the novel is bursting with that meaning and warrants a reread for that reason. I'd have given it 5 stars if it wasn't for my initial annoyance and other complaints, such as what seemed to me unnecessary footnotes in a particular section of the book: the tone of these footnotes were completely jarring and didn't fit at all with the tale they were added to, especially how one mentions "globalization"--and I was under the impression that the daughter was relating this story, who is in middle school, so it made no sense to me how she would be speaking with those kinds of terms when there was no prior indication that she knew about things like that.
I think it puts an interesting spin on the often tired narrative of motherhood. It's visceral, gross, and brutal. That's why I feel like it really isn't a novel for everyone, or that everyone can appreciate, though I understand why one wouldn't. As for me, I enjoy this sort of organic and grotesque language when it's not obnoxious like it was in the first pages, though I do admit to having rolled my eyes at some descriptions.
emmakg's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
Bestiary tells the story of three generations of Taiwanese American women. We hear from Grandmother, Mother and Daughter. It is a story about migration, tradition, culture, and love.
After her mother tells her a story about a tiger spirit, Daughter wakes up one morning to find that she has sprouted a tiger tail. The story is one of magical realism and is a fantastic melding of folklore and a modern immigrant and queer love story. With the help of her lover, Daughter tries to unwind her family history and how it is linked to folklore. The story is loaded with strange and quirky things and the language is stunning and lyrical. It is definitely a twisty tale full of allusions and metaphors. I just got drawn into the flow of the story. This clever take on fables & family is a magical read.
Overall, I consider this an impressive debut novel! K-Ming Chang is an author that I will be keeping my eye on.
What to listen to while reading...
Youth by Glass Animals
Your Best American Girl by Mitshi
Girls Like Girls by Hayley Kiyoko
Let it Happen by Tame Impala
Myth by Beach House
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
After her mother tells her a story about a tiger spirit, Daughter wakes up one morning to find that she has sprouted a tiger tail. The story is one of magical realism and is a fantastic melding of folklore and a modern immigrant and queer love story. With the help of her lover, Daughter tries to unwind her family history and how it is linked to folklore. The story is loaded with strange and quirky things and the language is stunning and lyrical. It is definitely a twisty tale full of allusions and metaphors. I just got drawn into the flow of the story. This clever take on fables & family is a magical read.
Overall, I consider this an impressive debut novel! K-Ming Chang is an author that I will be keeping my eye on.
What to listen to while reading...
Youth by Glass Animals
Your Best American Girl by Mitshi
Girls Like Girls by Hayley Kiyoko
Let it Happen by Tame Impala
Myth by Beach House
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
xtie's review against another edition
4.0
Queer fiction! Holes! Putting things in holes! Moldy crab! I liked it more and more as the book settled in my brain. The folkloric style and intertwining of stories and temporalities grew on me.
rad_hika's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
jinbin's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
janeaustentatious2's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
3.25
lucita_knjige's review against another edition
1.0
DNF at page 107.
I love weird books but this is too weird for me. Quite hard to follow, the prose is... Different to say the least. Thematically it's intriguing but just so so weird.
I love weird books but this is too weird for me. Quite hard to follow, the prose is... Different to say the least. Thematically it's intriguing but just so so weird.