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caseythecanadianlesbrarian's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
"Sometimes, being lost is an opportunity."
This incredible book snuck up on me. It's an honest and fascinating character study of a mid-20s struggling artist and bookbinder named Dawn. Dawn is a gender fluid bi Jewish person living in Brooklyn with her boyfriend (also bi). She isn't sure how to get out of her artist's block, she isn't sure about how to embody her gender fluidity, she isn't sure how to support her best friend who is in the hospital, and she isn't sure whether her current relationship fits her anymore.
When she discovers a queer love letter written on the back of a lesbian pulp novel cover from the fifties -- hidden inside the endpapers of a book she's repairing at work -- she becomes obsessed with finding the woman who wrote it, thinking talking to her will somehow help her self actualize.
We are firmly in Dawn's perspective the whole novel; when she feels uncomfortable or self-doubting -- which unfortunately for her is not uncommon -- it is visceral. But when she triumphs, it feels like you are too. Despite her many mistakes, I often wanted to give Dawn a hug (as well as a push in the right direction).
The story is set in 2003, after 9/11, and there's a clear connection made between that era of government surveillance, nationalism, and hate to the McCarthyism and institutionalized homophobia the letter writer experienced in the 50s. The book also has a lot to say about the process of art making, gender identity and presentation, and how to love an authentic life.
I loved this book! Recommended as an audiobook read by Dani Martineck, who does a wonderful job mirroring Dawn's moods and gender expressions, as well as doing unique voices for supporting characters. Martineck also performs Dead Collections by Isaac Fellman, one of my favourite books from 2022 -- check that out too!
This incredible book snuck up on me. It's an honest and fascinating character study of a mid-20s struggling artist and bookbinder named Dawn. Dawn is a gender fluid bi Jewish person living in Brooklyn with her boyfriend (also bi). She isn't sure how to get out of her artist's block, she isn't sure about how to embody her gender fluidity, she isn't sure how to support her best friend who is in the hospital, and she isn't sure whether her current relationship fits her anymore.
When she discovers a queer love letter written on the back of a lesbian pulp novel cover from the fifties -- hidden inside the endpapers of a book she's repairing at work -- she becomes obsessed with finding the woman who wrote it, thinking talking to her will somehow help her self actualize.
We are firmly in Dawn's perspective the whole novel; when she feels uncomfortable or self-doubting -- which unfortunately for her is not uncommon -- it is visceral. But when she triumphs, it feels like you are too. Despite her many mistakes, I often wanted to give Dawn a hug (as well as a push in the right direction).
The story is set in 2003, after 9/11, and there's a clear connection made between that era of government surveillance, nationalism, and hate to the McCarthyism and institutionalized homophobia the letter writer experienced in the 50s. The book also has a lot to say about the process of art making, gender identity and presentation, and how to love an authentic life.
I loved this book! Recommended as an audiobook read by Dani Martineck, who does a wonderful job mirroring Dawn's moods and gender expressions, as well as doing unique voices for supporting characters. Martineck also performs Dead Collections by Isaac Fellman, one of my favourite books from 2022 -- check that out too!
hannalliem's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
andyking's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Dysphoria, Hate crime, and Toxic relationship
alalex's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
ashergeorge's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
jsrogers123's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it! This is one of the first books I've read that just feels authentically, messily queer and that was very cool
40 pages in I realized that it's a period piece because it's set in 2003 and that did make me want to vomit a little!
40 pages in I realized that it's a period piece because it's set in 2003 and that did make me want to vomit a little!
eleanor029's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was the best book I've read in a while and I now count it amongst my few favourites.
motleybooksandtea's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0