Reviews

Redder Days by Sue Rainsford

lost_in_a_leabhar's review

challenging dark mysterious

4.0

sineadcstories's review against another edition

5.0

I was stunned while reading this entire book, underlining whole paragraphs to pick apart later. Sue Rainsford returns to the viscera in this compelling and uncomfortable piece of magic realism, using language so primitive and raw that I couldn't take my eyes away.

Twins Adam and Anna are living in a derelict commune, a commune they had been born into. They are alone there except for the commune's former leader, Koan. They live there waiting for Storm, what they presume to be the apocalypse. They are taught to fear 'redness,' an infection where the body's animalistic desires seem to manifest itself outwardly. At least, that's what I think redness is - Rainsford doesn't spoon feed but instead she places a lot of trust in the reader, dropping you in to her world with precision and care.

This book is easy to speed through, but I had to take my time because of the absolute poetry of it. This read was disturbing, shocking and beyond heartbreaking. The characters were all brilliantly portrayed and Rainsford paints images so instinctually

I adored this read and was so honoured to be given this advance copy by Netgalley and Penguin Books Ireland. Out on March 4th and I can't recommend it enough!

ever_unread's review

challenging dark mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

heleliis's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

2.5

blushingbearsandbees's review

challenging 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

2.5

kazk's review against another edition

3.0

I had to work too hard for this weird read and there wasn’t any payoff.

rosekelly96's review

challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

Confusing novel. Difficult to understand.

lisa_and_her_books's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

1.5

piscesprincesss's review

mysterious slow-paced

3.0

quesarah's review

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.0