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greavuem's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Drug abuse, and Infertility
Minor: Homophobia
manaledi's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I had so many moments where I was like what the hell did I just read I need to talk to someone what is going on and why and is there a deeper metaphor or is shit just strange. I feel like you could write an entire thesis on this book and yet I still can't decide what the lessons are. It sticks with you though from the three buttocks to the pum-pums to the moths. I'm still also wondering if indigent here is a play on indigenous.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Body horror, Classism, Grief, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Sexism, and Sexual content
Minor: Pregnancy
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-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? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
This was a fever dream and a bit hard to follow for my pea-brain. However, take this with a grain of salt because I am trying to diversify my genres and I have not read TOO much magical realism, surrealism or fabulism. I am continuing to dip my toes deeper and deeper in, but I am still at the beginning of my journey lol!
I appreciated the vivid illustrations of the culture on the island of Popisho, from the fruits to the land, to the sounds/music, and beyond. Ross did such a beautiful job of writing with such animation and delight. I will definitely check out more of Ross's work!
This was a fever dream and a bit hard to follow for my pea-brain. However, take this with a grain of salt because I am trying to diversify my genres and I have not read TOO much magical realism, surrealism or fabulism. I am continuing to dip my toes deeper and deeper in, but I am still at the beginning of my journey lol!
I appreciated the vivid illustrations of the culture on the island of Popisho, from the fruits to the land, to the sounds/music, and beyond. Ross did such a beautiful job of writing with such animation and delight. I will definitely check out more of Ross's work!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage and Addiction
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, Infidelity, and Suicide
Minor: Misogyny, Rape, Child death, and Sexism
thewellbitch's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
slow-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? Yes
3.0
I don't know what to say about this book. It's unique and I'm glad to have read it because it's a whole-ass experience, but at the same time I don't think I can recommend it because I can't think of anyone who would enjoy it lmao. The writing is poetic and musical, the characters are vibrant, the plot was interesting, but it was still hard. Listening to the audiobook at the same time I was reading was definitely the right choice for me, I couldn't have finished it if it was one or the other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexism, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Child death, Alcohol, Sexual violence, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Homophobia, and Infidelity
audreyxine's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Classism, Excrement, Infidelity, Grief, Homophobia, Suicide, Vomit, Child death, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
whatannikareads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
this book definitely fits under the "I've never read anything like this and I probably never will again" category. you can tell the author poured her entire heart and soul into the book. I so appreciate the uniqueness of almost all elements of the book: magical realism told through a Caribbean cultural lens, the intertwining of (over) four different character storylines, the colorful intricate descriptions that set this story apart from any other. it was like reading murakami on drugs. the deliberate choice of words was evident in how the Popisho islands played out in my mind. I love that buildings were green and lungs were on attached to people's hips and moths were consumed as a form of addictive drugs.
the author was ambitious in her work, and I think that is why it's not for everyone, because you must be ambitious to finish the book. it took a lot of brain power to keep up with the names of characters, jumping across different timelines without warning and the switching of character perspectives. it is a slow read and at times it made me want to put it down. i think the ending was a bit quick compared to the rest of the book, given the fact it essentially takes place over 1 day. but since it took a lot of energy to complete it, I do feel satisfied in not having given up on it.
the author was ambitious in her work, and I think that is why it's not for everyone, because you must be ambitious to finish the book. it took a lot of brain power to keep up with the names of characters, jumping across different timelines without warning and the switching of character perspectives. it is a slow read and at times it made me want to put it down. i think the ending was a bit quick compared to the rest of the book, given the fact it essentially takes place over 1 day. but since it took a lot of energy to complete it, I do feel satisfied in not having given up on it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual harassment, Addiction, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Sexual content, Body horror, Drug use, Medical content, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Suicide
rorikae's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
4.25
'Popisho' by Leone Ross is an exquisitely written fabulist tale about the community that lives on the archipelago Popisho.
The people who live on Popisho each have their own touch of magic. This magic manifests as healing abilities, wings, and more, affecting their daily lives in ordinary and extraordinary ways. At the center of this novel are a few different characters whose stories intertwine with their community and the wider political machinations going on around them.
'Popisho' is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read. Ross' prose is so precise while also being incredibly evocative. This, paired with distinct characters that are full of flaws but also full of heart, are what make this book special. The audiobook is read by Ross, which is rare for a fiction title. Her narration further elevates the text and brings the characters to life. I would highly recommend the audiobook though I do think it should be listened to when you have a good amount of time to pay attention. I listened while doing other things and found that I lost some of the plot points though I never lost appreciation for the characters and Ross' writing.
The people who live on Popisho each have their own touch of magic. This magic manifests as healing abilities, wings, and more, affecting their daily lives in ordinary and extraordinary ways. At the center of this novel are a few different characters whose stories intertwine with their community and the wider political machinations going on around them.
'Popisho' is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read. Ross' prose is so precise while also being incredibly evocative. This, paired with distinct characters that are full of flaws but also full of heart, are what make this book special. The audiobook is read by Ross, which is rare for a fiction title. Her narration further elevates the text and brings the characters to life. I would highly recommend the audiobook though I do think it should be listened to when you have a good amount of time to pay attention. I listened while doing other things and found that I lost some of the plot points though I never lost appreciation for the characters and Ross' writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Suicide
madelynfrank's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
I got this book from the library because it had a pretty cover. And now it’s one of my top favorites.
Beautiful prose, interesting and fun setting. Many extremely unique and strong characters and I love them all. It was a joyful escapist magical fantasy that still spoke on food scarcity, complex colonialism, addiction, misogyny. Smart and special and I wish I had more.
Beautiful prose, interesting and fun setting. Many extremely unique and strong characters and I love them all. It was a joyful escapist magical fantasy that still spoke on food scarcity, complex colonialism, addiction, misogyny. Smart and special and I wish I had more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Sexism, Addiction, Classism, Death, Genocide, Grief, Alcoholism, Racism, Religious bigotry, Animal death, Colonisation, Drug abuse, Miscarriage, Alcohol, Drug use, Gore, Homophobia, Infertility, and Infidelity
menomica's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Misogyny and Homophobia
Minor: Infidelity, Domestic abuse, and Suicide
lavenderlemonade's review against another edition
medium-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
This book is visceral and luscious in a way I haven’t encountered before. Colourful and baffling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Body horror, Death, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Drug use, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Addiction, Infidelity, Excrement, Grief, and Infertility