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furiousdee's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Minor: Animal cruelty, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Abortion, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
augie_'s review
- 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? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Pregnancy, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Xenophobia
pearlpool's review
3.5
Graphic: Animal death, Abortion, and Death of parent
anni_o's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Death, Grief, Death of parent, Abortion, Terminal illness, Sexual assault, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Animal cruelty
aserra's review
- 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? It's complicated
3.75
In my experience of reading, Surfacing manages to juggle a nuanced diachronic nature. The pacing of events are slow, while the prose constructs a quick highway for reading. Atwood's roots as a poet really shine through, I think, while establishing her as a tour de force in fiction (this was her second book of fiction published, if I'm not mistaken).
The characters are realistically, wonderfully, and often infuriatingly as layered and jagged as everyday people. With her expert crafting of character, Atwood paves a smooth road into the utter suspension of disbelief.
The story leaves the reader with much to dwell on, and I found myself frequently flipping back to early pages in the novel to connect the dots. A mysterious, intellectual read. Is is Atwood's best novel? I don't think so, but great nonetheless. As I continue to unpack and attempt to draw more connections, the rating of this may change (likely to increase).
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Abortion, and Mental illness
grunbean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I didn’t see where the story was going, and I really enjoyed the later second and third parts. There’s just something about it that makes it a sort of jarring read, and sad my first Atwood book I’m hoping her voice comes through in future reads.
Graphic: Abortion and Animal death
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, War, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Infidelity, Body shaming, and Death of parent
nicnewbould's review
- 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? No
3.0
Minor: Death of parent
lavissa's review
- 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
Moderate: Abortion, Child death, Animal death, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Bullying
clemmiem's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Abortion, Animal death, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Death of parent
futureofmydays's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Abortion, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Gore, Medical trauma, Medical content, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abandonment