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chirson's review
4.0
Polly - or Polycorpus Singularia - was not born, but rather made from scraps of dead bodies, and brought to life as an experiment. Now a 22 year old woman, she is in love with one man, and betrothed to another. Moreover, she has many thoughts on the nature of society and inequality. And that's just the beginning.
The book's author is someone whose blog I used to follow, and whose writing I have always enjoyed. I was thrilled to have the chance to read her novel, and it did not disappoint at all - on the contrary, it was delightful. It was original in the worldbuilding (steampunk, but with Egyptian and Roman elements, monsters and gods, and a world that goes beyond Europe, in spite of London being the primary setting). The beginning is a tad less gripping, but after the first chapter ended and the second one started, I was convinced I was going to like it a lot - and then I loved it. It was clever in its references, but not in a self-conscious way - you can read it as a gripping page-turner with some unconventional families and sex thrown in, and you can enjoy the multi-level references to both Frankenstein's monster and (if I am not mistaken) the mother of the woman who came up with that tale. It was emotionally satisfying and bold, it was politically conscious without ever being forced. There are a number of moments when the narrative choices went contrary to all expectations, in direction one hardly ever sees writers go, and it was quite successful.
I loved all the main characters, and wished the cast could be larger. (More Mable!) I could barely put the book down, I was so curious what would happen next (and at times, so worried for the characters). I loved the warmth and the humour ("Couldn't a man die alone and unloved anymore?") - I must have laughed out loud more than my fair share. It was both fun and clever, and the ending was immensely satisfying. And I sincerely hope I'm right to assume that a sequel is in the works, because it could be even better, the set-up for that is very promising.
There are a few small typos and missing words, one or two repetitions, that come with being self-published, but I did not really have time to pay attention because I was reading it at such speed by then.
Highly recommended (albeit with trigger warnings).
The book's author is someone whose blog I used to follow, and whose writing I have always enjoyed. I was thrilled to have the chance to read her novel, and it did not disappoint at all - on the contrary, it was delightful. It was original in the worldbuilding (steampunk, but with Egyptian and Roman elements, monsters and gods, and a world that goes beyond Europe, in spite of London being the primary setting). The beginning is a tad less gripping, but after the first chapter ended and the second one started, I was convinced I was going to like it a lot - and then I loved it. It was clever in its references, but not in a self-conscious way - you can read it as a gripping page-turner with some unconventional families and sex thrown in, and you can enjoy the multi-level references to both Frankenstein's monster and (if I am not mistaken) the mother of the woman who came up with that tale. It was emotionally satisfying and bold, it was politically conscious without ever being forced. There are a number of moments when the narrative choices went contrary to all expectations, in direction one hardly ever sees writers go, and it was quite successful.
I loved all the main characters, and wished the cast could be larger. (More Mable!) I could barely put the book down, I was so curious what would happen next (and at times, so worried for the characters). I loved the warmth and the humour ("Couldn't a man die alone and unloved anymore?") - I must have laughed out loud more than my fair share. It was both fun and clever, and the ending was immensely satisfying. And I sincerely hope I'm right to assume that a sequel is in the works, because it could be even better, the set-up for that is very promising.
There are a few small typos and missing words, one or two repetitions, that come with being self-published, but I did not really have time to pay attention because I was reading it at such speed by then.
Highly recommended (albeit with trigger warnings).
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