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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really was interested in the story surrounding Motheater, though I wasn't convinced the time skip element was necessary. The chapters in the book that deal directly with Esther are very strong, and I wish the entire book could have been written in her time and from her perspective. However, after about a third of the way through, I couldn't listen to the narration in this audiobook anymore. That's not to say the narrator isn't good - they very much are. I think this is simply a case of this being a book that is better absorbed through reading than through listening to it. Hoping to give it another shot in the future.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I liked the premise of this book. But I got it on audio, and don’t have a lot of time to listen to audiobooks so I won’t finish it before it’s due at the library
fantastic concept on paper, unfortunately not fully realized, imo. the setting is lush, and the appalachian gothic vibes are off the charts, but i haven't connected with the characters within the first third and the magical components are really vague/esoteric.
author also uses the word 'sour' a lot? sour apples, sour incense, even sour asparagus.
i also read another review that said the anti-capitalist sentiments aren't carried through to the end, so it all adds up to a dnf for me
author also uses the word 'sour' a lot? sour apples, sour incense, even sour asparagus.
i also read another review that said the anti-capitalist sentiments aren't carried through to the end, so it all adds up to a dnf for me
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Sexism
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Self harm, Religious bigotry, War
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I like Bennie and find her interesting. Sure, it's easy to say she's overshadowed by the literal witch, but if I knew her in real life, I'd be floored to learn of her mission that, while admirable, is pretty insane. Her role in the story feels static, which isn't fundamentally bad, but there's some moments that I feel like suggests some hidden layers and maladaptive traits, only to leave me disappointed as they fizzle out in the end. A quirk of Bennie's narration uses denial as a defense mechanism a lot, and I don't think her conflicts at her old job, her previous relationship, or any other anecdote can be used as sufficient context for this behavior. Furthermore, she develops a very sudden attraction to Motheater--believable for someone like her whose proactiveness and desperation can attach to someone whom can solve her problems, but I'm reading between the lines. It's played straight and feels odd to be left unaddressed. Motheater's attraction, though? I have a hard believing if I were put into her shoes, but the lack of her perspective on this aspect until the very end cements the issue.
The environmental commentary also comes across as oddly unfulfilling and with a pessimism that I don't think works with what how the book sets itself up. The book acknowledges that there's systemic exploitation of the Appalachian land and its people, but I have to give a really generous reading to how the book responds with the aforementioned acknowledgment. The book perhaps suggests that a harmonious relationship between the mountains and the mining industry could have been established, but their initial connection came with the inherently exploitative nature of capitalism and poor timing, as a result of insufficient policies and equipment during those times. As a result, the people of the present day will bear the consequences of a failing environment. The industry has come up with safer practices and equipment, but still tries to cover up blame and responsibility when they start to bear the consequences. Appalachians no longer benefit from the mining industry, so the best thing they can now do learn to let go and brave life's difficulty through love.
Like I said, very generous, and even then it's not particularly satisfying argument. You'll see how most other reviews feel underwhelmed due to a lack of systemic change. While perhaps I see more value in the belief that people should resign towards a literally dying industry this book is making than the average reviewer, I still overall agree with them. The only change that happens in a broad sense is a "transition to safer mining practices". If that sentence was conveyed in a way that's aware it's a natural, trivial consequence that fails to undermine what the book sees as actually important, maybe that would be something I could engage with. Yet, the book frames it more as a huge victory, and that gives me apprehension to feel confident towards my readings that have nuance.
Maybe I'm projecting how I think the book should've went, but for all its societal critiques, the characters end in a weirdly isolated way. Keep in mind, this is Appalachia--the same region that participated in the Battle of Blair Mountain. Sure, local activist groups and unions get mentioned a few times, but they get handwaved as ineffective. Instead, we have a story that tries to be this anthropological depiction of the mining industry despite really only getting to know 2 or 3 people born within the book's present era. There's a chance that the more communal feel during Esther's part compared to Bennie's could be a depiction of a shifting, cultural attitude, but should I be confident that's the subtext? Are all small communities supposed to find the answer the two main characters find at the end? Even after the climax happens, there's no collective resistance? I'm skeptical to all these questions.
Its depiction of Black Appalachia also feels off. I'm too ignorant to evaluate the depiction of Bennie's braids, which another reviewer has said to be way off, but whatever the book is trying to do with the development in relationship with her hair, I don't understood and feel the emotional weight of it. In fact, the depiction feels so milquetoast that I question if I was being presumptuous in expecting it to be more than a minor aspect. My awareness of the Hawk's Nest Tunnel Disaster gave me the expectation of it being tied in the book in some way. Maybe that's too narrow of an expectation, but there's not much distinctly Appalachian here.
I started with a 3/5 stars, but I think I talked myself into a 2.5/5.
author unwilling to play in their own sandbox: motheater makes a big show about not knowing what a burger is yet doesn’t have much to say about bennie whipping out several $20 bills or even the truck bennie drives. it’s little things like these that warn me that the author didn’t reaaaally think about the implications of their own lore. dnfing early to avoid greater inevitable disappointment.
DNFed at 20%. I was so disappointed that this book did not grab me the way that I wanted it to! This is a queer, witchy mystery, all of which are words I really love! But the story didn't resonate with me and the names (Motheater, the Dandelion Witch, etc.) felt a little silly.
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated