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paguroidea's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Kind of lost me by the end. I think it would’ve been better without the sections that had Dr. Sloane and Remy’s perspectives. Those parts were kind of distracting, and didn’t add much to the story for me. I did like the writing style a lot though and i’d probably read more from this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Grief, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Cancer, Sexual harassment, Death of parent, and Sexual assault
maddsienicole's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Body horror, Blood, Death, Addiction, and Misogyny
Minor: Confinement and Rape
rorikae'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
'The Shimmering State' by Meredith Westgate is a thought provoking novel that explores the power and danger of memory.
The story centers on Sophie and Lucien who are both patients at a center that treats people who have used Memoroxin, a drug that allows one to experience past memories of their own or others. Sophie is an aspiring dancer who waitresses to make ends meet and has come to the attention of a powerful and controlling Hollywood producer. Lucien is a photographer whose mother has recently died and whose grandmother is suffering from Alzheimer’s. The story weaves between their two perspectives, hopping between their current experiences at the Center and their lives before that brought them to this point.
Westgate does an excellent job of discussing the impact of memory on identity through the two main characters. The story shifts into and out of the past and present as well as between the two main characters in an interesting way that is easy to follow. As we learn more about Lucien and Sophie's past, we better understand how their lives became entangled with Mem. The use of two very specific character studies to explore wider questions about memory works incredibly well. Despite my ability to feel empathy for these characters and to be interested in their stories, I never truly cared for them. Though I think the commentary and ideas that this story presents will stick with me, I think that the characters will be easy to forget. Even so, I think that Westgate does do a lot in this story and presents many ideas in an effective manner. I'll be interested to see what they write next and if they continue to explore complex ideas through near future character studies.
The story centers on Sophie and Lucien who are both patients at a center that treats people who have used Memoroxin, a drug that allows one to experience past memories of their own or others. Sophie is an aspiring dancer who waitresses to make ends meet and has come to the attention of a powerful and controlling Hollywood producer. Lucien is a photographer whose mother has recently died and whose grandmother is suffering from Alzheimer’s. The story weaves between their two perspectives, hopping between their current experiences at the Center and their lives before that brought them to this point.
Westgate does an excellent job of discussing the impact of memory on identity through the two main characters. The story shifts into and out of the past and present as well as between the two main characters in an interesting way that is easy to follow. As we learn more about Lucien and Sophie's past, we better understand how their lives became entangled with Mem. The use of two very specific character studies to explore wider questions about memory works incredibly well. Despite my ability to feel empathy for these characters and to be interested in their stories, I never truly cared for them. Though I think the commentary and ideas that this story presents will stick with me, I think that the characters will be easy to forget. Even so, I think that Westgate does do a lot in this story and presents many ideas in an effective manner. I'll be interested to see what they write next and if they continue to explore complex ideas through near future character studies.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Drug abuse, Sexual violence, Addiction, Car accident, Death, Toxic relationship, Grief, Medical content, Self harm, Sexual assault, Drug use, Mental illness, and Violence
Moderate: Terminal illness, Suicide, and Dementia
stevie's review
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexism, Cancer, Dementia, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Medical trauma
Minor: Mass/school shootings
juliannar's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
First, I would like to say that I think the premise of this book is really unique. Having a pill that can provide a person their memories is not that far off in my opinion. It's not quite present day, but not quite the future; think the LA where the movie "Her" is set. Also, the cover of this book is absolutely perfect. It really captures the novel.
As for the direction the story takes, I thought there would be a more of a dramatic reason as to why Sophie and Lucien end up at the Center. The summary kind of hypes it up, but the execution of that plot line fell a bit flat for me. I appreciated seeing the development of Lucien and Sophie's character, though I wish we had more development of Angelica's. Her development seems a bit fast, and when I first read her perspectives it read a little forced.
The pacing of this novel was a bit slow for my liking, and I felt I dragged myself along here and there.
Overall, I think Westgate did a good job with her debut novel; I really appreciated the unique premise. I look forward to reading more of her work.
First, I would like to say that I think the premise of this book is really unique. Having a pill that can provide a person their memories is not that far off in my opinion. It's not quite present day, but not quite the future; think the LA where the movie "Her" is set. Also, the cover of this book is absolutely perfect. It really captures the novel.
As for the direction the story takes, I thought there would be a more of a dramatic reason as to why Sophie and Lucien end up at the Center. The summary kind of hypes it up, but the execution of that plot line fell a bit flat for me. I appreciated seeing the development of Lucien and Sophie's character, though I wish we had more development of Angelica's. Her development seems a bit fast, and when I first read her perspectives it read a little forced.
The pacing of this novel was a bit slow for my liking, and I felt I dragged myself along here and there.
Overall, I think Westgate did a good job with her debut novel; I really appreciated the unique premise. I look forward to reading more of her work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Addiction
Moderate: Suicide, Death of parent, and Cancer
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