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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
I received an ARC of this book thanks to Net Galley and publisher Grove Press in exchange for an honest review.
Oh boy, where to start with this book. I have labelled it a 'DNF' but I did actually pretty much read all of it, I just wanted to DNF it so many times. I requested this book after reading an excerpt and I'm ashamed to say I wish I hadn't. The unusual writing style caught my eye and I thought the plot had huge potential. This is kind of a futuristic retelling of Frankenstein based around sex bots and AI? Honestly I don't know what was going on with this book. The plot became really hard to follow due to the writing style and there were flashback chapters to Mary Shelley which just made me confused and bored. There is however a much bigger problem with this book.
It's transphobic. Very transphobic.
Initially I was excited to read about a trans doctor as the protagonist. Unfortunately the language surrounding the discussion of this character is rife with unfortunate implications. Ry frequently describes himself as now identifying as a man (Ry is a female-to-male trans character) but then explains that he is a hybrid and still a woman and not a real man and aaaaah. Gender fluidity is absolutely a thing and I would happily read about a gender fluid character but this is done all wrong if that's what the author was going for.
This trans character is also specifically fetishised for being a 'hybrid' by his male doctor partner. There is a lot of discussion about genitals etc and this was extremely uncomfortable to read about. I really think more research should have been done because I found this book incredibly problematic so I can't imagine how it would read to a trans audience (Although I did float a few of the problematic things past my trans friends to check I wasn't being unfair. They all agreed that this sounded AWFUL).
Terrible transphobia aside, this book is just super dull. I did skimread until the end and at 80% through, nothing had really happened yet. It's such a shame because I could have really gotten into this book but ultimately, it felt like it was trying too hard to be literary.
Overall Rating: 1/5
Oh boy, where to start with this book. I have labelled it a 'DNF' but I did actually pretty much read all of it, I just wanted to DNF it so many times. I requested this book after reading an excerpt and I'm ashamed to say I wish I hadn't. The unusual writing style caught my eye and I thought the plot had huge potential. This is kind of a futuristic retelling of Frankenstein based around sex bots and AI? Honestly I don't know what was going on with this book. The plot became really hard to follow due to the writing style and there were flashback chapters to Mary Shelley which just made me confused and bored. There is however a much bigger problem with this book.
It's transphobic. Very transphobic.
Initially I was excited to read about a trans doctor as the protagonist. Unfortunately the language surrounding the discussion of this character is rife with unfortunate implications. Ry frequently describes himself as now identifying as a man (Ry is a female-to-male trans character) but then explains that he is a hybrid and still a woman and not a real man and aaaaah. Gender fluidity is absolutely a thing and I would happily read about a gender fluid character but this is done all wrong if that's what the author was going for.
This trans character is also specifically fetishised for being a 'hybrid' by his male doctor partner. There is a lot of discussion about genitals etc and this was extremely uncomfortable to read about. I really think more research should have been done because I found this book incredibly problematic so I can't imagine how it would read to a trans audience (Although I did float a few of the problematic things past my trans friends to check I wasn't being unfair. They all agreed that this sounded AWFUL).
Terrible transphobia aside, this book is just super dull. I did skimread until the end and at 80% through, nothing had really happened yet. It's such a shame because I could have really gotten into this book but ultimately, it felt like it was trying too hard to be literary.
Overall Rating: 1/5
Such a strange book. It's a mix of science, philosophy, sex, politics, transgender characters, passionate Christianity, atheism, future, past, fact, and fiction.
I found this audio book because one of the narrators is Perdita Weeks; I had just finished listening to "Cerci" which she read. I was lucky to find this connection.
I found this audio book because one of the narrators is Perdita Weeks; I had just finished listening to "Cerci" which she read. I was lucky to find this connection.
Whilst it poses some interesting questions about humanity vs computers, the trans content in this is SEVERELY under researched and comes off really stale. Also the hole that percy shelley leaves in the modern day versions is tangible. A missed opportunity to do something interesting with trans characters and the frankenstein story. Unfortunately Jeanette shows her privilege and ignorance a little with this one.
Shoutout to the unattached walking hands tho that was a highlight.
Shoutout to the unattached walking hands tho that was a highlight.
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Incredibly thought provoking content about what it means to define a human being or just asking what does it mean to be (interesting ontological considerations given the very conceivable technology that could appear in the next 100 years or less even).
I can't speak to the trans criticism for this book but will obviously defer to the audience who can. I will say that as a cis het white dude, this talked about the trans experience in a way I had never considered and just generally made me consider that more than I probably had before (also happen to watch Will & Harper the same week...)
Overall though, it just isn't a good novel. There are sentences that are beautifully written and, like I said, very thought provoking. But not a great story or arc...just wasn't constructed well in my opinion. But I'd still probably recommend it to people! I don't know!!!! Very conflicted about this rating haha.
I can't speak to the trans criticism for this book but will obviously defer to the audience who can. I will say that as a cis het white dude, this talked about the trans experience in a way I had never considered and just generally made me consider that more than I probably had before (also happen to watch Will & Harper the same week...)
Overall though, it just isn't a good novel. There are sentences that are beautifully written and, like I said, very thought provoking. But not a great story or arc...just wasn't constructed well in my opinion. But I'd still probably recommend it to people! I don't know!!!! Very conflicted about this rating haha.
I can't recommend this book highly enough. Smart and witty and thought-provoking and funny and disturbing and sexy and historical and imaginative and unafraid. Certainly a must-read for all Frankenstein fans.
Certified Jeanette Winterson moment. Thank you Jeanette Winterson. Very cool
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
There is such a thing as too meta.
There is also such a thing as DON'T WRITE what you REALLY don't know. The depiction of trans people is akin to the offensiveness of Stepin Fetchit (there is also an offensively stereotypical black character) and every offensive gay-stereotype in bro-movies that usually star a Wahlberg brother.
How did this get long-listed for any award?
There is also such a thing as DON'T WRITE what you REALLY don't know. The depiction of trans people is akin to the offensiveness of Stepin Fetchit (there is also an offensively stereotypical black character) and every offensive gay-stereotype in bro-movies that usually star a Wahlberg brother.
How did this get long-listed for any award?
