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dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-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
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Violence, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Animal death, Bullying, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Acephobia/Arophobia, Abandonment
Minor: Confinement, Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Excrement, Car accident, Death of parent
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have too many thoughts and feelings about this book to do it any justice. There is beauty and there is suffering. Sometimes I had to take breaks because it was so beautiful it hurt, sometimes I took breaks because there was simply too much hurting.
On a personal note, Kerewin reminded me very strongly of someone I used to know, someone who meant the world to me a lifetime ago. Everything that was art and knowledge and music and wordplay conjured this ghost out of my past. Bittersweet.
On a personal note, Kerewin reminded me very strongly of someone I used to know, someone who meant the world to me a lifetime ago. Everything that was art and knowledge and music and wordplay conjured this ghost out of my past. Bittersweet.
I read this book not long after it's release. I remembered it having a slow start and then building up to a shattering climax.
The scenes that had an impact for me still do. This book does a wonderful job of exploring a complex relationship that was both loving & violent. Some of the prose was quite beautiful & I didn't mind the liberties Hulme took with descriptive words.
There are also a few flaws.
Kerewin is at least partially autobiographical (the similar names are a little clue!) and I could just feel Hulme's smug approval of Kerewin's actions. Personally I found her insufferable at the start, although she did improve in the middle of the book & I liked the character's honesty about her part in the outcome for Simon.
I had forgotten the ending. Was a bit Mills & Boon for me. Thought Hulme wimped out a bit there.
Not a masterpiece (Mistresspiece?) but a very fine book & an important part of New Zealand's literary landscape.
The scenes that had an impact for me still do. This book does a wonderful job of exploring a complex relationship that was both loving & violent.
Spoiler
I wish I could say Joe's prison sentence was unrealistically short. But I can't.There are also a few flaws.
Kerewin is at least partially autobiographical (the similar names are a little clue!) and I could just feel Hulme's smug approval of Kerewin's actions. Personally I found her insufferable at the start, although she did improve in the middle of the book & I liked the character's honesty about her part in the outcome for Simon.
I had forgotten the ending. Was a bit Mills & Boon for me. Thought Hulme wimped out a bit there.
Not a masterpiece (Mistresspiece?) but a very fine book & an important part of New Zealand's literary landscape.