Reviews

Well written story that goes all over the place. I'm not sure I understand it all and most likely never will. The relationships in this book are forever colored by the impending doom of the ice approaching.

The main character is never as nice as we think him to be. Only in the last chapter does he look in the mirror and realizes he is part of the problem. Only then does the girl at the center of everything find respite.

margaridascarlos's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

reflectiverambling_nalana's review

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

It is clear to see how this story has had such longevity. The tonality and voice is reminiscent of some of the most prominent voices in sci-fi mid 20th century. But with the same stark imagery and vivid description, baffling to some extent, comes the same patronizing traits that came with what we now see being the echoes of toxic masculinity. Strange, of course, as this is a female author who chose to make our nameless female the objectified in her story. And yet, this only adds to its allure.

What is so striking and lasting about this novel is that it is a commentary of fixation, obsession. it is using the tool that was used against women of the time to highlight the contrast of how people and characters were handled. It is not only the world that is hard, decaying, and murky, but each of the characters is awash in grey-- traumatized, effected by their own hubris and surrender.

Also as astounding is the foresight Kavan had in what we now see as a rise in climate fiction. Not only in impending possible doom of a planet, but her commentaries and assumption of how the world governments and different populations would respond --how much goes ignored because people don't like to look at hopeless things-- is absolutely eerie.

While I can't say I adored this, I certainly see the craft within.

gu4n's review against another edition

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3.0

This will haunt me for a while. Probably even better on a second read.

tildahlia's review

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3.0

I'll be honest, for the majority of this book I had very little idea what was going on. Not uncommon for slipstream literature apparently, compounded with my limited exposure to science fiction/dystopian novels. I couldn't help but feel like a lot of metaphors (the enclosing ice referencing the author's heroin addiction etc) that were going over my head.

That being said, the writing alone was enough to carry me through. Her style is simple but evocative, sparing without being too sparse. Note though, dystopian novels feel less and less like an escape from reality at the moment!

snorkmidden's review against another edition

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dark sad 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

2.0

aubreadsbooks's review

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense 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

4.25

No plot just vibes. I enjoyed the prose a lot, gorgeous descriptions of the landscape just not much going on in the way of a plot or character development.

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