Reviews

Build Your House Around My Body by Violet Kupersmith

allie_shu's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

2.5

yellowbaby's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad medium-paced

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

3.0

lottesuardi's review

challenging dark mysterious

3.75

dilettareads's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

jordan_1_1's review against another edition

slow-paced

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

3.0

lizzyjane's review against another edition

5.0

Kicked the year off right with this one. Could very likely be my favorite book of 2022.

sophiearaujo's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.5

neelram's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

justinmorlock's review against another edition

5.0

4.5 /// This might grow on me yet because this was an absolute rollercoaster, slithering through and incorporating themes of magical realism, critiques of colonialism in Vietnam, feminist perspectives on mental health and identity, and so much more. Also, snakes are objectively terrifying.

Edit: issa five pals

shona_reads_in_devon's review against another edition

5.0

I don't think I've ever read any Vietnamese literature before but this has certainly whetted my appetite.

This is a good old revenge plot with some kooky supernatural details that I guess are inspired by myths and superstitions of Vietnamese culture. I have no idea about these myths or superstitions but this novel has made me want to read more.

I thought this novel was clever, it encompasses a wide time frame of Vietnam's violent 20th century bringing together seemingly disparate threads and narratives and tying them all together into a neat little plot that explores issues of possession and exploitation in relation to both the land and the female body.

I'm excited to see what this author comes up with next.