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jinsae's review
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Gaslighting, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Racism and Rape
avgastright's review
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I’m really torn about this one. One one hand, the author went balls to the literary fiction wall, and at times I found myself getting lost in the lack of plot. This novel reads the way an indie movie watches; it is less a story than a deep-dive character study of severely flawed people. On the other hand, Hamilton is writing about “white trash” the way artists write about first loves. Ruth’s words are more romantic talking about her shitty life than most poets’ words are about Paris.
Personally, I found the most moving character to be May, who is terrible for many reasons but who inspired the most pity from me than any of the rest. Willard’s death combined with the house in Honey Creek decaying around her made her bitterly angry, and the way she expresses that anger to the outside world was fascinating to watch. I saw parallels between her and some familiar faces in my own life, and for that reason I was rooting for her. In her own way, she ends up being the hero of the story. I only wish Ruth was able to see it that way, and it breaks my heart to know that she never will.
Personally, I found the most moving character to be May, who is terrible for many reasons but who inspired the most pity from me than any of the rest. Willard’s death combined with the house in Honey Creek decaying around her made her bitterly angry, and the way she expresses that anger to the outside world was fascinating to watch. I saw parallels between her and some familiar faces in my own life, and for that reason I was rooting for her. In her own way, she ends up being the hero of the story. I only wish Ruth was able to see it that way, and it breaks my heart to know that she never will.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Rape
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