Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

The Mars House by Natasha Pulley

4 reviews

ninjamuse's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny lighthearted 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? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia

Moderate: Violence, Police brutality, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, Stalking, and Medical content

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Transphobia, Child abuse, Colonisation, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Deportation

kimzeyk's review against another edition

hopeful mysterious medium-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

4.0

This was an interesting take on the Mars colony.  I loved the linguistic aspects and footnotes.  The pronoun shift was a little hard to follow at first, but the author does a nice job of avoiding singular/plural confusion without overusing names.  

This book didn’t read as sci-fi to me - it takes place on Mars, but focuses on the refugee experience.  A lot of suspension of disbelief is required, and there are some problematic aspects glossed over.  I had to roll my eyes at the

mammoth heroism and the spontaneous adoption toward the end.

The romance is a stretch - the same ends could have been accomplished if they had just become friends instead, and we don’t see any chemistry outside of January’s admission that

he falls for older men who are nice to him (which seems like a dig at the gay community?)

All that said, I found myself thinking about this book when I wasn’t reading, which is always a good sign.  Overall, if you can take it at face value, it’s a good read.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Colonisation, Death, and Gun violence

Minor: Xenophobia, Addiction, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Abandonment, Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Police brutality

kayceeisbookish's review against another edition

funny inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Out of this world. 'The Mars House' takes current problems and fits them under a futuristic lense. A true delight to read. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Classism, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Colonisation, Cursing, Deportation, and Gun violence

michaelcattigan's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Hate crime, Blood, Body shaming, Colonisation, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Police brutality, and Death