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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
I honestly can't say whether I've read anything more beautiful before. This is my second time reading The Autobiography of Red, and it is still just as stunning to read as my first time. I don't know how Anne Carson does it. She exerts such skill and mastery of the English language that she may as well be a mythic being herself.
There are so many things going on within this book. Firstly, please do read the introduction and interviews--they help contextualize the narrative, and immediately open your eyes to how Carson writes.
This book is a magical, fantastical book. Geryon is a child just like any other. But he's red. He has wings. Do people notice this? He seems to remember his myth, his past--the one where he's killed by Herakles. But this doesn't deter him from falling in love with him. He still sees the color red everywhere. He has big questions. Red questions.
Another reason why this book is so important to me is because a) it was highly recommended to me by my high school best friend, and b) it was the first LGBTQ novel I'd ever read. So, naturally, this affected me, though I don't think I knew it at the time I first read it. And to be clear: this book isn't about Geryon realizing he's gay, or about his parents' acceptance and approval. It's about the harsh truths of when you love someone, especially when you have a history. I'm still astonished by how incredible this book was, and I'm very much so looking forward to reading the sequel.
It's a beautiful piece of work that deserves to be shared with everybody, especially those who want to read red stories about red monsters on a red island.
Get the full review here!
There are so many things going on within this book. Firstly, please do read the introduction and interviews--they help contextualize the narrative, and immediately open your eyes to how Carson writes.
This book is a magical, fantastical book. Geryon is a child just like any other. But he's red. He has wings. Do people notice this? He seems to remember his myth, his past--the one where he's killed by Herakles. But this doesn't deter him from falling in love with him. He still sees the color red everywhere. He has big questions. Red questions.
Another reason why this book is so important to me is because a) it was highly recommended to me by my high school best friend, and b) it was the first LGBTQ novel I'd ever read. So, naturally, this affected me, though I don't think I knew it at the time I first read it. And to be clear: this book isn't about Geryon realizing he's gay, or about his parents' acceptance and approval. It's about the harsh truths of when you love someone, especially when you have a history. I'm still astonished by how incredible this book was, and I'm very much so looking forward to reading the sequel.
It's a beautiful piece of work that deserves to be shared with everybody, especially those who want to read red stories about red monsters on a red island.
Get the full review here!
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Rape, Sexual assault
Minor: Addiction, Violence
broke my goddamn heart and remade it. i feel physically unwell. i have chills. im reading it again after posting this.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
I really liked Anne Carson‘s exquisite poetic language and also appreciate the concept behind the book a lot. However I had a hard time fully understanding what’s exactly going on… maybe because English isn‘t my mother tongue and I found it tricky to adapt to the lyrical-prose style… but I can live with that and maybe gonna re-read it one day or read it in German if there‘s a well translated edition out there!
emotional
reflective
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Sexual assault