Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Popisho by Leone Ross

6 reviews

greavuem's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful reflective 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

3.0

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theinkwyrm's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious slow-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

3.0

Honestly kind of disappointed because I’d expected to love this but I really just didn’t. This had some elements that I really loved (the cors, the pum-pums, the food, the overall lore and vibe of Popisho), but that didn’t really make up for the things I didn’t like. This book was just too long and could have used some editing. It’s so long and the narrative meanders so much that it’s really easy to forget that the main plot line is taking place over the course of a day. I can understand that it meanders so much because Ross is having to lay the groundwork so the reader can understand what’s been leading up to the events of this day, but it really needed some tightening up because the pace absolutely crawled. Also, I like magical realism, but not when it gets so magical that it loses the realism like it did in this book. It’s just not quite the right fit for me.
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myk_yeah's review against another edition

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inspiring lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This book was an absolute joy. Such a magical and enthralling reading experience. Be prepared not to understand everything the first (or fifth) time you're introduced to something, it really benefits you to be along for the ride. Such an outstanding book and like nothing I've ever read before. Loved every character, how the POVs were done, and how the story and the world kept you guessing.
The only thing that was annoying about this book was all the gender essentialism. I noted ableism on the part of the author as well, but didn't make a note of where it showed up.
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audreyxine's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I haven't the faintest idea even where to begin. This book was so brilliant, so challenging, and so bizarre. It covers cast grounds and explores so many corners of the human experience. I have so many quotes from this book that will stick with me forever. The world of Popisho is so surreal and yet it feels so tangible. 

My biggest criticism is the length. I would have preferred about 50 less pages. The momentum was hard to keep up, especially with all the jumping around between characters. 

For anyone thinking about picking this one up, I strongly recommend binging it. It needs to be a fever dream in order to make sense.
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menomica's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring mysterious reflective 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
Everyone in Popisho was born with a little something-something, boy, a little something extra. The local name was cors. Magic, but more than magic.

Magic went only so far and no more.

This book was very nice. I really loved the world-building and how thoroughly it was done without seeming forced.  The writing itself is very enjoyable. It alternates between formal and casual in a way that doesn’t feel forced or disruptive.

I love the way all the characters interacted with each other. Developing their own seperate storylines and character growth and then mixing with each other before splitting apart and developing some more. It really helped to solidify the sense of a small island community.

The book talks about issues that fit both within the magical world and real life. It tackles abuse, addiction, homophobia in ways that are very relatable. There’s also a lot of gayness and I love that.

All in all, I think this book is really sweet. A nice slow read to slip into on your couch while sipping a hot coffee.
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starry_ayed's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Boi I tried to love this book! I loved the dialogue - the descriptions - the sincerity with which characters fell in love.
But the body horror was too much for me, man! I felt less certain of what was going on as the book went on. I also felt things was a bit too cool and ambiguous sometimes - I felt certain persons died because it would have been too much work to take them to account for their wrongs. And the book only seemed sometimes interested in that. So many things in this world I loved - but o that body horror scalded me bad! It ruined whole chapters for me.
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