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abigailbat's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
What did I just read? This one was for book club and outside of my comfort zone. It’s incredibly dark and spookily violent, lots of rot and decay and toxicity. And then it just ended with no real resolution. Not my favorite but sometimes those are the best conversation starters. I am sure I will have lots of things to say.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Animal death, Violence, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Religious bigotry, and Death
Moderate: Rape and Sexual violence
amb_leigh's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Religious bigotry
carolinefaireymeese's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Hudson has and hasn't succeeded in equal measure portraying an Alabama where labels and religion and self-definition do and do not define everyone. By this, I mean that I (a South Carolinian) know well a queer South Carolina, an antiracist and diverse South Carolina, and a South Carolina with a dangerous, xenophobic, racist religious fervor. In Hudson's book, the fault lines of these countries edge and shake each other through proximity, which is somehow true and not true.
Max's perspective was essential. As another reviewer pointed out, his foreignness allowed for a closeness to the subject of poison-drinking and snake-eating religion that Pan's perspective wouldn't have brought. Growing up near a dangerous cult is one thing; being entranced by it is another.
I wanted more agency from Max, though. Until the very last pages, he effortlessly bridged the two Alabamas he inhabited with no consequences, with no thought to the future or his desires from it. Pan treated him terribly, to be sure, and he was taken advantage of by the entire football team as a new convert.
Max's perspective was essential. As another reviewer pointed out, his foreignness allowed for a closeness to the subject of poison-drinking and snake-eating religion that Pan's perspective wouldn't have brought. Growing up near a dangerous cult is one thing; being entranced by it is another.
I wanted more agency from Max, though. Until the very last pages, he effortlessly bridged the two Alabamas he inhabited with no consequences, with no thought to the future or his desires from it. Pan treated him terribly, to be sure, and he was taken advantage of by the entire football team as a new convert.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcoholism, Body horror, and Xenophobia
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