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dliterate's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
To say that the content in this book is dark is an understatement. TWs upfront for: child abuse and sexual assault, self harm, suicidal ideation and suicide, depression, drug and alcohol use and abuse, and there's likely some things I've missed, to boot.
If I were to try and say that the book isn't weighed down by these topics, I'd be lying. That it is is kind of the point; the book is as weighed down by the ongoing trauma of the impacts of child sexual abuse as many of its characters are. Relief is fleeting, and not necessarily achieved via healthy means.
I don't know if 'enjoyable' would be the right word to use for this reading experience (I ate four orange and poppy seed muffins to make myself feel better when I finished it), but it's definitely worth reading.
That said, I have a couple of issues (the first of which is a pet peeve): the penchant in contemporary literature for doing away with proper punctuation, as if it's cool, is not; and the inclusion of chapters from another character's perspective threw me off just as I'd gotten used to the poetic flow of the writing. I didn't find the change necessary.
If I were to try and say that the book isn't weighed down by these topics, I'd be lying. That it is is kind of the point; the book is as weighed down by the ongoing trauma of the impacts of child sexual abuse as many of its characters are. Relief is fleeting, and not necessarily achieved via healthy means.
I don't know if 'enjoyable' would be the right word to use for this reading experience (I ate four orange and poppy seed muffins to make myself feel better when I finished it), but it's definitely worth reading.
That said, I have a couple of issues (the first of which is a pet peeve): the penchant in contemporary literature for doing away with proper punctuation, as if it's cool, is not; and the inclusion of chapters from another character's perspective threw me off just as I'd gotten used to the poetic flow of the writing. I didn't find the change necessary.
stefs1974's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
adam75241's review
4.0
This book was heavy. Blackhole heavy. One I had to take in pieces because it was too much to take in all at once.
The subject matter was incredibly hard to digest—child abuse at the top—and yet the writing and the author’s mastery of language kept me to the end.
Edinburgh is about the tunnels of the human condition, of memory and trauma. The tunnels are cold, buried deep underground, and winding. They are dark and cavernous and it is much too easy to get lost in them.
I keep thinking, How is it at all possible to create a book so hideous and trite yet so intricate and new all at the same time? How can every line of a story stand alone as a poem? Somehow Chee accomplishes all of this.
The subject matter was incredibly hard to digest—child abuse at the top—and yet the writing and the author’s mastery of language kept me to the end.
Edinburgh is about the tunnels of the human condition, of memory and trauma. The tunnels are cold, buried deep underground, and winding. They are dark and cavernous and it is much too easy to get lost in them.
I keep thinking, How is it at all possible to create a book so hideous and trite yet so intricate and new all at the same time? How can every line of a story stand alone as a poem? Somehow Chee accomplishes all of this.
cyaneve7's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
saz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ananascanread's review
5.0
lyrical, haunting, complex, and profound.
the novel explores themes of identity, sexuality, race, trauma, and the search for belonging.
chee's writing is unbelievably beautiful - i can't seem to stop thinking about this book.
the novel explores themes of identity, sexuality, race, trauma, and the search for belonging.
chee's writing is unbelievably beautiful - i can't seem to stop thinking about this book.
merandacree's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Grief, Pedophilia, Body horror, Gun violence, Blood, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide, Child abuse, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
lisbethleftwich's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, and Child abuse
lilywg's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Sexual assault