Take a photo of a barcode or cover
challenging
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
I was surprised by how little I enjoyed this book. It was a big jumble of a story, which I don't normally mind, except there were some inconsistencies early on that made me not trust the writer. Ultimately, though, it came down to not caring enough about any of the characters, none of which were developed in depth. There was a particular emotional detachment in the protagonist/narrator that left me quite cold — which is saying a lot, considering the brutal setting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Gore, Homophobia, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, War
Takes place during a brutal civil war
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Torture, Violence, War
Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Self harm, Suicide, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Outing, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I listened to the audiobook version of this, read by Shivantha Wijesinha, and although it was read brilliantly and gave an authentic accent to the language, I wish I had read this book on paper. There was quite a lot going on, and I wish I had been able to read over some passages a few times, or go back to check an event that was mentioned later. Set over the course of seven days, it follows the story of Maali as he tries to figure out why he has died, flashing backwards to the events leading up to his death and reflections on his career as a photojournalist. It includes real events from history from a fictional perspective, often including disturbing or heartbreaking vignettes.
I could easily recommend this to anyone interested in political history, Sri Lanka, magical realism or something unusual and out of the box; however, I wouldn't have classified myself as any of those categories, but I was still gripped from beginning to end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Genocide, Homophobia, Racism, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infidelity
This was just so tedious to read. It wasn't even the complex politics nor the sad and horrible things that happen in this book, it was just too slow. The second person POV gets tiresome very quickly and caused a disconnect with the main character. Not only was this too long, but it also had way too many characters and wasn't skilled at juggling them all. Very interesting concept and plot, but the execution did not work for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Torture, Violence, Murder, War
The book is set during the Sri Lanka civil war and pulls no punches when describing the horrors of such a violent and long standing conflict. VERY GRAPHIC.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am not sure what I was expecting when I picked up this book but I did not think I would love it as much as I did.
When I first saw that it was written in second person I was worried I wouldn't enjoy it but once you get through the first 50 pages it works as a way to immerse you. Once I reached the ending I fully understood the purpose of the second person pov (both to bring the audience in but also to drive the message of agency and the role of ghosts in), and now I cannot imagine the book working without it. In a book actively exploring the idea of distance/closeness to war the second person pov forces the reader to critically engage with our own position.
For a book set in the context of the deadly Sri Lankan civil war, I found the war violence and sardonic humor to be perfectly complimentary. The straightforward description of the horrors really allowed for the reader to interpret it the way one would an actual photo. In between the horror, the mockery of colonialism-politics-nonsensical violence gives us a respite from everything we see in the page. At times the humor even reminded me of Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett (if their books were set in the most horrific real life context imaginable).
I would say that the balance between the scenes that took place in the afterlife and the civil war were not as seamlessly as I would have liked. The switch from one scene to another had a disruptive effect that at times took me out of the story. The epilogue itself I found it to be both refreshing but also a bit muddled (although not enough to change my enjoyment of the book).
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Indeed a very unique reading experience.
When I first saw that it was written in second person I was worried I wouldn't enjoy it but once you get through the first 50 pages it works as a way to immerse you. Once I reached the ending I fully understood the purpose of the second person pov (both to bring the audience in but also to drive the message of agency and the role of ghosts in), and now I cannot imagine the book working without it. In a book actively exploring the idea of distance/closeness to war the second person pov forces the reader to critically engage with our own position.
For a book set in the context of the deadly Sri Lankan civil war, I found the war violence and sardonic humor to be perfectly complimentary. The straightforward description of the horrors really allowed for the reader to interpret it the way one would an actual photo. In between the horror, the mockery of colonialism-politics-nonsensical violence gives us a respite from everything we see in the page. At times the humor even reminded me of Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett (if their books were set in the most horrific real life context imaginable).
I would say that the balance between the scenes that took place in the afterlife and the civil war were not as seamlessly as I would have liked. The switch from one scene to another had a disruptive effect that at times took me out of the story. The epilogue itself I found it to be both refreshing but also a bit muddled (although not enough to change my enjoyment of the book).
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Indeed a very unique reading experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Murder, War
Moderate: Death, Violence, War
Minor: Homophobia, Suicide, Torture
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Seven Moons was a good read, I enjoyed the magical realism of exploring the transient world in between life and death. I like Maalis life and narrative and found his struggles really relatable and compelling. I think the book landed the plane and had a satisfying ending as well, I was happy with the character development and I think I found peace too. I’m not familiar with Sri Lanka at all but it was interesting to learn about it, not sure I grasped the politics fully but it wasn’t necessary to grasp the narrative arc. I think people who consider themselves spiritual regardless of religion will find things to reflect on in this story. This book took me a lot longer to read than other books just because it was at many times a depressing and tense read, hard to keep track of the factions, but that’s likely user error, I’m sure there was enough satire and humor to keep someone else more entertained.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Death, Gore, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, Outing, Abandonment, Colonisation, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Such a wild ride! You definitely need a certain amount of diligence if you're someone who dives into this book with little to no knowledge of the Sri Lankan civil war, but the pay off is so worth it if you do.
I would recommend hammering this one out pretty quick, or at least with a good amount of consistency. The cast of characters at the back of the book does help in keeping your feet grounded in the story and reminding you who's who, but taking your foot of the gas for a story like this will only leave you left behind in the dust.
I would recommend hammering this one out pretty quick, or at least with a good amount of consistency. The cast of characters at the back of the book does help in keeping your feet grounded in the story and reminding you who's who, but taking your foot of the gas for a story like this will only leave you left behind in the dust.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Murder, War
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Suicide
dark
tense
Strong character development:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Infidelity, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, War
Moderate: Sexual assault, Torture, Kidnapping
Minor: Child death, Drug use, Alcohol
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Kidnapping, War