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mattiedancer's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
Writing: 4.75⭐️/5
Eley Williams writes with fascinating control and ease. I thoroughly enjoyed how our two main characters thought about and used language, given how in love with language they both were. At very small moments, I do think the writing became a bit too much, but these moments were so short and fleeting that it really didn’t matter.
Characters: 5⭐️/5
I really loved both main characters. Williams extended the depth and arcs she crafted towards her side characters as well, giving them a fullness that was wonderful to read.
Plot: 4.75⭐️/5
The plot is deceptively simple and suddenly explosive, leading up to an exciting ending that was unexpected but not unwelcome. I did feel that a portion of Peter Winceworth’s plot happened a little too quickly, as though to match the pace of Mallory’s story, which was winding to a close. I would have enjoyed a bit more time there to build to the ending.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Fans of literary reads
- Fans of dictionary-based fiction
- Fans of learning new words and discussions about language
- Someone looking for a good read with decadent language and stunning, well-developed characters.
Content Warnings?
- Homophobia, lesbophobia, biphobia, fire, fire injury, injury, injury detail, ableism, sexual content, bullying, animal cruelty, medical content, infidelity, blood, outing, hate crime, emotional abuse, alcohol
Post-Reading Rating: 4.75⭐️/5
What an unexpected ending, and yet, so right.
Final Rating: 4.75⭐️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, Death, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Outing, Homophobia, Hate crime, Ableism, Animal cruelty, Alcohol, Blood, Biphobia, Bullying, and Injury/Injury detail
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