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famke_hv's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
best_lemon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-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
4.5
jluv1220's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
futurama1979's review against another edition
4.0
This book had such a heavy sweetness to it that, if it could, it would drip. The most atmospheric book I've read this year without question. Really beautiful meditation on religion and gender and trauma.
I had a professor recently who always talked about "drip-feeding information" throughout a fiction piece, and I think this book did that incredibly well, in a swell gentle way. It's a book that already makes sense before you read the end and more sense after you read the end, and it's also a book that has you constantly recontextualizing what you've already read. I was so happy that it ended the way it did for Ada.
It's a book that forces you to read it slowly, and I'm glad it does. More time to drink it in that way.
I had a professor recently who always talked about "drip-feeding information" throughout a fiction piece, and I think this book did that incredibly well, in a swell gentle way. It's a book that already makes sense before you read the end and more sense after you read the end, and it's also a book that has you constantly recontextualizing what you've already read. I was so happy that it ended the way it did for Ada.
It's a book that forces you to read it slowly, and I'm glad it does. More time to drink it in that way.
katiekull's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I wish I had read this before their memoir I think I would have loved it more. It was still gorgeous but knowing the behind the scenes stole some of the magic I think.
I’ll read anything and everything by Akwaeke though. Always gorgeous.
I’ll read anything and everything by Akwaeke though. Always gorgeous.
halierivers's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
5.0
What can I say about this book without typing an essay?
A brilliant mix of spirituality, trauma, loss, gender identity, mental illness, and sexuality. Not at all a happy go-lucky time, but one that devours you page after page.
I finished this in one sitting and I just keep sitting here, deeply sighing to myself from the satisfaction of a great book. And incredible storytelling talent.
I liked it so much, I want to read it twice and fully plan to get my own copy for annotations.
I want to sit around and talk about this book for hours with other people who have read it.
A brilliant mix of spirituality, trauma, loss, gender identity, mental illness, and sexuality. Not at all a happy go-lucky time, but one that devours you page after page.
I finished this in one sitting and I just keep sitting here, deeply sighing to myself from the satisfaction of a great book. And incredible storytelling talent.
I liked it so much, I want to read it twice and fully plan to get my own copy for annotations.
I want to sit around and talk about this book for hours with other people who have read it.
jasoncfish's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-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
5.0
doctabird's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.5
keraashley's review against another edition
4.0
This wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be, but so interesting and good. Hearing about Ada’s life from the Gods that live inside her, was so well done. It’s a bit harrowing overall and I think it would have been tougher to get through if I hadn’t read it all at once on a plane. But very worth a read.