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dustghosts's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
- There is a lot of period-standard racism, ableism, and antisemitism throughout the novel that can be difficult at times, and I think modern readers should prepare themselves for that. While capturing wider attitudes and tensions about these and other social issues, I think there’s a sense of empathy and human understanding that pervades McCullers’ writing despite— and, actively despite— wider society’s lack thereof (both within the book and without). I read Native Son just before this and was surprised how many ideas and sentiments echoed and mirrored throughout the two books, and I think the whole thing is a feat considering not only the time period but also McCullers’ age at the time of writing. Still, ymmv.
The structure: a series of vignettes, each from a different main character, and repeated in parts, is really interesting and admirable from a writing point of view. The loneliness that sets each of these characters apart also strings them together in a way that’s hopeful, strange, sorrowful, frustrating. The selfishness of that loneliness, and the way that it prevents each of the characters from recognizing it in each other, I found heartbreaking at times. Very accessible writing, even today, and again— the empathy and real feeling imbued into each character shines.
I had to take long breaks in-between reads, here, but I think that’s more to do with seasonal garbáge than anything. It weighs heavy to read a book where the characters’ troubles and gripes still reverberate today, and especially when you’re so close to each of these characters. A theme of futility vs optimism (“what is it all for?”) plagues character and reader alike. I think I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time, and I wish I had more folks to talk about it with!!!
The structure: a series of vignettes, each from a different main character, and repeated in parts, is really interesting and admirable from a writing point of view. The loneliness that sets each of these characters apart also strings them together in a way that’s hopeful, strange, sorrowful, frustrating. The selfishness of that loneliness, and the way that it prevents each of the characters from recognizing it in each other, I found heartbreaking at times. Very accessible writing, even today, and again— the empathy and real feeling imbued into each character shines.
I had to take long breaks in-between reads, here, but I think that’s more to do with seasonal garbáge than anything. It weighs heavy to read a book where the characters’ troubles and gripes still reverberate today, and especially when you’re so close to each of these characters. A theme of futility vs optimism (“what is it all for?”) plagues character and reader alike. I think I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time, and I wish I had more folks to talk about it with!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Racism, Suicide, Racial slurs, Police brutality, Hate crime, Gun violence, Antisemitism, and Ableism
Moderate: Grief, Alcoholism, Blood, and Classism
Minor: Vomit and Violence
phantomgecko's review against another edition
reflective
slow-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
A book about people and how they feel. Things happen, but what happens is secondary to how the characters feel about it. I enjoy these sorts of books as long as the characters are likeable or at least interesting.
Kinda depressing though how this 80 year old novel is making some of the exact same social commentary you could make today. (You know, the racism and the capitalism.)
What does it say about me if John Singer is my favorite character? Am I projecting onto him just like the characters of the book? I don't think so? I just like misunderstood and depressed characters? I do not get his relationship with Antonapoulos, but it makes me feel bad for him (and thus want to protect him and like him.)
I assumed the book would culminate with Singer's death somehow. It being a suicide...a suicide because of the death of Antonapoulos...a suicide that none of the other characters will ever understand because none of them knew anything about Singer.... chef's kiss.
Kinda depressing though how this 80 year old novel is making some of the exact same social commentary you could make today. (You know, the racism and the capitalism.)
What does it say about me if John Singer is my favorite character? Am I projecting onto him just like the characters of the book? I don't think so? I just like misunderstood and depressed characters? I do not get his relationship with Antonapoulos, but it makes me feel bad for him (and thus want to protect him and like him.)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism, Death, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Slavery, Suicide, Terminal illness, Hate crime, Religious bigotry, Alcoholism, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, and Toxic relationship
kenkennady's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Antisemitism, Body horror, Gore, Classism, Hate crime, Police brutality, Violence, Gun violence, Suicide, Death, Mental illness, and Murder
aliceandhoney's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Violence, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Death, Antisemitism, Torture, and Hate crime
sophee_568's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Incredible book. Reading this novel made me slow down, think, and savour every moment. It was an otherworldy experience. McCarson did a wonderful job creating all the characters and portraying an american society on a small scale, living in a small town in the south. Every single character felt so real, vivid, and could be easily distinguished from the rest. McCarson gave a body and a voice to many important issues plaguing america in the 20th century. The book openly discusses racism, hate crimes, social dynamics of a small town, friendships, capitalism vs communism, growing up/puberty, poverty.
I couldnt help but notice similarities between Mic Kelly and the writer herself. Their fathers have the same occupation, and they both took piano lessons. Whenever i read chapters that dealt with Mic's life (inner and outer) i felt like i was breaching someone's privacy. Reading about Mic growing up, changing, falling in love, struggling, felt intimate, delicate and relatable. She is my favourite character.
Second favourite character is Singer, a deaf&mute man who spent most of his life living with his best friend Antonapulos. I wont say much about them because it would be best to dive into this book knowing as little as possible and discover all the relationships in your own pace. It is a magical experience. Singer and Antonapulos' friendship has an uneven dynamic where you're not really sure who benefits from it. It would be a good topic for an in depth analysis.
One of the easiest 5 stars ive ever given.
I couldnt help but notice similarities between Mic Kelly and the writer herself. Their fathers have the same occupation, and they both took piano lessons. Whenever i read chapters that dealt with Mic's life (inner and outer) i felt like i was breaching someone's privacy. Reading about Mic growing up, changing, falling in love, struggling, felt intimate, delicate and relatable. She is my favourite character.
Second favourite character is Singer, a deaf&mute man who spent most of his life living with his best friend Antonapulos. I wont say much about them because it would be best to dive into this book knowing as little as possible and discover all the relationships in your own pace. It is a magical experience. Singer and Antonapulos' friendship has an uneven dynamic where you're not really sure who benefits from it. It would be a good topic for an in depth analysis.
One of the easiest 5 stars ive ever given.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Hate crime, and Racism
Moderate: War and Suicide
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