Reviews

Strange, unnerving and a bit jarring at times but filled with fascinating characters and the most amazing writing! The talent this debut author has is astounding and I can’t wait to read more by her. There are some upsetting bits so definitely check content warnings on this one.

Content Warnings

elise_randall_modica's review

Go to review page

5.0

I’ve only read one chapter so far and it’s one of the most exceptional chapters I’ve ever put into my eyeballs.
Will I end up hating the book and writing another review with fewer stars?
I don’t care.
This first chapter was a GIFT.

alipattern's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

4.0

lmatakas's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious sad medium-paced

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

3.25

Super weird but written beautifully—I loved following Blandine, and I don’t think it would have worked if we had followed fewer perspectives (multiple points of view!) but really thought the Moses sections could have been cut without too much impact. So much of it was incredibly sad, but it was fascinating to read the stories out of one apartment complex in a small town. Not a book I’d recommend to everyone (sometimes grotesque, a little experimental, lots of catholic undertones) but I get why it won National Book Award this year.

Content Warnings

irvherbblinger's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

4.25

acolyte's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

easily in my top 3 books of all time. phenomenal

More...