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blackrabbitrun's review
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
This book feels like it's building towards something breathtaking, a spectacular conclusion to a jigsaw-puzzle plot full of hints of what's to come... and then it swerves left to a dead-end, and doesn't really resolve any of those brilliant things. I mean... it isn't bad, but the buildup is so very high to fall from.
Would not recommend to people with any tendency toward psychosis or otherwise doubting the evidence of their senses.
Would not recommend to people with any tendency toward psychosis or otherwise doubting the evidence of their senses.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Terminal illness
rorikae's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
3.5
'Peaces' by Helen Oyeyemi is a slightly surrealist story about lovers who are gifted a trip aboard a train for their honeymoon nothoneymoon.
Told through the eyes of Otto Shin, we follow him and Xavier Shin, as they set off on a train trip that was gifted by Xavier's aunt. The strange thing about the train is that each compartment is its own themed room and there doesn't appear to be other people aboard the train. But then they catch a glimpse of a mysterious woman and begin to learn that there are other forces that have caused them to be on this particular train at this time.
As always, Oyeyemi's writing is evocative and lush. She creates a fascinating tale that weaves through the present on the train and the past that has led our main characters to their destination. One of my favorite pieces is in the middle where the story switches to letters for a portion and we dip into the differing perspectives of each of the characters. At its heart, this is a story about the attention that we do or do not give to others and the impact that it has. It's a bizarre story but effused with lots of heart and fascinating characters. I'm always intrigued by what new and fascinating story Oyeyemi will tell next and I feel much the same after reading her latest work.
Told through the eyes of Otto Shin, we follow him and Xavier Shin, as they set off on a train trip that was gifted by Xavier's aunt. The strange thing about the train is that each compartment is its own themed room and there doesn't appear to be other people aboard the train. But then they catch a glimpse of a mysterious woman and begin to learn that there are other forces that have caused them to be on this particular train at this time.
As always, Oyeyemi's writing is evocative and lush. She creates a fascinating tale that weaves through the present on the train and the past that has led our main characters to their destination. One of my favorite pieces is in the middle where the story switches to letters for a portion and we dip into the differing perspectives of each of the characters. At its heart, this is a story about the attention that we do or do not give to others and the impact that it has. It's a bizarre story but effused with lots of heart and fascinating characters. I'm always intrigued by what new and fascinating story Oyeyemi will tell next and I feel much the same after reading her latest work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking, Terminal illness, and Violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
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