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abbie_'s review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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
This Brutal House is essentially a group of drag mothers staging a protest outside of City Hall to demand justice for their children who have gone missing, with little effort from law enforcement to find them. The first and last sections are told through the collective eyes of the mothers as ‘we’, with the middle chapters narrated by Teddy, one of their children who now works at City Hall, having stepped away from drag but still maintains his relationship with the people who gave him a home. It offers a stark reminder of the hurdles queer Black folk face when it comes to gaining justice and respect.
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If you’re not a fan of lyrical, often experimental writing then you will likely have a tough time with this one, as the reviews attest to. Goviden is one of those writers where you can almost feel the care and attention with which he’s chosen every word. Some reviewers think this comes off as forced and dense, but I have found it a captivating reading experience. I’d recommend with caution, you know your own reading taste when it comes to unusual stylistic choices!
The ending though did have me baffled. I could not for the life of me comprehend Teddy’s motives here.
The ending though did have me baffled. I could not for the life of me comprehend Teddy’s motives here.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Racism, and Transphobia
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