Reviews tagging 'Miscarriage'

Popisho by Leone Ross

21 reviews

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. 

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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! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage and Addiction

Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, Infidelity, and Suicide

Minor: Misogyny, Rape, Child death, and Sexism

faithe's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Miscarriage, Body horror, Death, Medical content, Animal death, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Pregnancy, Sexism, Suicide, Homophobia, Infertility, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Mental illness, Self harm, Death of parent, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, and Religious bigotry

myk_yeah's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, and Alcoholism

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexism, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Addiction

Minor: Rape, Death, Sexual violence, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Ableism

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.

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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

flamesocks's review against another edition

medium-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Miscarriage, Addiction, Sexual assault, and Suicide

katewhite77's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful mysterious fast-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

This book is so poetic it fair drips off the page. I can't think of a subject this book doesn't cover through the story of the retelling of One Sky Day on Poppisho, a world not to dissimilar to our own. 

Definitely not one for the kids though as adult content throughout and I would also recommend reading along with audio as it helps bring the sense of place and beautiful language alive.  
Above all though it's overriding message is be kind to yourself and others. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, and Suicide

Moderate: Miscarriage, Suicide, Colonisation, and Addiction

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.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Sexual harassment, Addiction, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Sexual content, Body horror, Drug use, Medical content, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Suicide

popcornreading's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage, Addiction, and Homophobia

mmccombs's review against another edition

adventurous challenging reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.5

This was like reading a dream! Like one of those dreams that is mostly nice but also vaguely unnerving in a what-is-happening kind of way. I usually do my reviews right after finishing, but I knew this was a book that would benefit from deeper reflection afterwards and I have enjoyed it much more with distance! The fantasy elements were fantastical and strange but also very cozy, it felt like inhabiting a folktale. It was kind of hard to get into, but ultimately I finished feeling fulfilled and joyful having read it!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Death, Miscarriage, and Addiction

Moderate: Homophobia and Sexual content