Reviews

The Craft of Love by E.E. Ottoman

kalanadi's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

4.0

topy_loving_books's review against another edition

3.0

I loved discovering about both MCs trades, a trans man being a silversmith and a cis-woman crafting quilts and embroidery for rich ladies. That's why the book cover is perfect to represent both their talents as he's creating a tea-pot for her, as a payment for quilt she's making out of clothes from his past life.

Their discussion about how to leave a mark with their work, when they don't have the possibility to let their name was really interesting and made me realized how we don't know anything about those very people now.
It reminded me of all the books which must have been best-sellers back then but past on from hand to hand, until complete deterioration, out of love. Most likely romance and fantasy books, consider not proper literature but truly loved by the mass. Compare to the prestigious boring books who survived times, because they mostly seated on bookshelves, unread and untouched.

tessisreading2's review against another edition

4.0

Halfway through reading this (from the library) I went and bought a copy because I already loved it so much. My only complaint is that it's so short. Sweet, thoughtful, and well-researched - a real delight.

tarantismic's review against another edition

lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

hayley_mariep's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

_ellen_'s review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

maineratheart's review against another edition

emotional hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.25

iam's review

4.0

Lovely and incredibly gentle novella about trans silversmith Benjamin who begings to very sweetly court bi quiltmaker Remembrance.
Could have been 5 stars if not for the abrupt ending that left me feeling rather dissatisfied.
I loved how politically active Remembrance was and that she fights for women's rights and to abolish slavery, among other things.

houxli's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

Cozy, deliberate, and honest. There's very little action going on, but it's exactly what I wanted here when I craved it, with a little heartbreak from being the person you want to be in the face of someone who refuses to see that.

booksthatburn's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Transphobia and Sexism

Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Slavery