Reviews

The Past Is Red by Catherynne M. Valente

agodfrey_gardens's review

Go to review page

dark funny hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Reading this was such a ride, and I didn't anticipate anything that would happen. The Past is Red is a novella about a girl named Tetley and parts of her life living in Garbagetown, a mass of garbage the remnants of the human population lived on after Earth became flooded. She becomes disliked by everyone after a catastrophe that she orchestrated. It doesn't have a linear, solid plot, so if you're reading this for plot, you might be disappointed. However, for me, the main character, Tetley, the worldbuilding, and the writing made up for it. Tetley's voice and characterization of being so hopeful in the face of a harsh reality was so moving and showed humanity's desire to be hopeful and adaptable in spite of dark times. The story itself is a bit absurd and quirky (which may make it hard for some readers to get used to), but it features emotional and heartwarming writing. It is a story about survival, hopefulness, hopelessness, connection, climate change, wastefulness, and humanity.

aliciaacker's review

Go to review page

hopeful reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

rach_fornow's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
I wasn't a huge fan of this, but it wasn't a bad read. Like the premise of a society o
I really like the reader of this and I honestly think she saved the whole thing for me and gave the book personality that I don't think would exist without her rendering. 
I did think the premise of a sliver of humanity left alive on a garbage heap
making contact with a child on Mars was fun/sad.

CW violence: I didn't like the casualness of the societal norm of beating or doing violence to the MC for her actions was disturbing and not in a good way. 

erikafran's review against another edition

Go to review page

medium-paced

3.0

adhesivedolphin's review

Go to review page

adventurous funny tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book was an oddity in that the longer I read it, the more I liked it. I wouldn't say it stuck the start, but it nailed the ending. In the end, I think books that lean heavily into comedy aren't exactly my thing. I had hoped for more darkness in this book, and it's really strongly a slice of life. The twist at the end of the book was great, and I almost felt like it started too early in the story. While it has a good ending, it somehow still felt a little unfinished. I had the urge to read it again, just to try and understand how I both enjoyed and didn't enjoy this one. Oh, and I found the lead both annoying and deeply engaging, so I'd say that's a win. 

fatedefied's review

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

emzhay's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kaivalry's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

agirlamongstbooks's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I'm pretty sure I liked this. I say "pretty sure" because the way it's written is a bit odd. It's like the inner ramblings of a very odd person. 

When you first start the book there are a lot of references to stuff that don't really have an explanation and as the story goes on you realize what the main character is actually talking about. 

Though this story was not my typical read at all, I enjoyed it and think it will be enjoyed by the right person!

booksmellers's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5