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kenley11's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racism, Transphobia, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Murder and War
Minor: Child abuse, Grief, Infidelity, and Suicide attempt
esalan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Medical content, Racism, Abandonment, Xenophobia, Violence, Transphobia, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
rionstorm's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.
The vibe of town and claustrophobic atmosphere were really nicely created, and the rythmic cycle of meeting character after character and hearing their story/confession/opinions surprising didn't get old, as I expected it would.
I found it interesting to try and work out the pattern in who Pew talked to. I think I've settled on it being outsiders, or possibly the people who didn't ask Pew to speak/explain themselves? But I'm not sure. Possibly based on vibes. </Spoilers> I also enjoyed hearing what each character felt important to share with Pew, and what they assumed about them. Very much filling in the gaps the other person leaves with your own experience.
There's some interesting themes touched on, including how limited our physical bodies are as a means to explain and understand our realities and experiences, the discomfort and quick jump to hostility when someone defies catagorisation, how much of identity is subjective and situational, and the interconnectedness of living creatures.
The ending was a little bit of a let down for me, as I felt the tension leading up to the festival wasn't paid off as satisfyingly as it could have been, and the very last part was a bit confusing. I assume that the two of them became one of the disappeared like in the next county? But unsure. It went over my head a bit, I think
There's also, obviously, a trans/GNC/queer reading of the book. This is probably why I found it so difficult to refer to the main character as Pew, as it's a name that is given to them without any of their own input.
Overall really liked it. A lot of it is a bit meandering and philosophical, but it's also got wonderful, uncomfortable atmosphere building and some absolutely gorgeous writing. The most passages I've highlighted in a long time.
The vibe of town and claustrophobic atmosphere were really nicely created, and the rythmic cycle of meeting character after character and hearing their story/confession/opinions surprising didn't get old, as I expected it would.
I found it interesting to try and work out the pattern in
There's some interesting themes touched on, including how limited our physical bodies are as a means to explain and understand our realities and experiences, the discomfort and quick jump to hostility when someone defies catagorisation, how much of identity is subjective and situational, and the interconnectedness of living creatures.
The ending
There's also, obviously, a trans/GNC/queer reading of the book. This is probably why I found it so difficult to refer to the main character as Pew, as it's a name that is given to them without any of their own input.
Overall really liked it. A lot of it is a bit meandering and philosophical, but it's also got wonderful, uncomfortable atmosphere building and some absolutely gorgeous writing. The most passages I've highlighted in a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Transphobia, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent, Xenophobia, and War
Minor: Suicide attempt, Eating disorder, Sexual violence, Medical content, Bullying, and Terminal illness
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