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krys_kilz's review against another edition
reflective
medium-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
4.5
This book is definitely a modern day, post-apocalyptic Candide. It makes me want to reread it alongside Candide, so I can compare them more thoroughly.
Because the story is somewhat satirical, I did struggle with portions because I often take things literally. Despite that, there is a lot of razor sharp social commentary packed into this novella including musings on the nature of hope, the desire for easy answers and leaders who offer them, the allure of denial in apocalyptic times, and the movement of power and how it corrupts relationships. I thought the foil of Tetley and Goodnight Moon's characters as well as the foil of Garbagetown and the Mars colonies were exquisitely done and not heavy handed. The world building was incredible and I loved the thoughtfulness of each chapter title.
My only major critique would be some of the disdain towards the Fuckwits felt a little universalizing and problematic in some aspects. For example, there were several fatphobic comments comparing fatness to excess and decadence. Also not all humans participated equally in an extractive and destructive relationship with the earth - this erases histories of colonialism, imperialism, and domination of all kinds.
Overall, this is a very clever story and it will stick with me for a long time.
Because the story is somewhat satirical, I did struggle with portions because I often take things literally. Despite that, there is a lot of razor sharp social commentary packed into this novella including musings on the nature of hope, the desire for easy answers and leaders who offer them, the allure of denial in apocalyptic times, and the movement of power and how it corrupts relationships. I thought the foil of Tetley and Goodnight Moon's characters as well as the foil of Garbagetown and the Mars colonies were exquisitely done and not heavy handed. The world building was incredible and I loved the thoughtfulness of each chapter title.
My only major critique would be some of the disdain towards the Fuckwits felt a little universalizing and problematic in some aspects. For example, there were several fatphobic comments comparing fatness to excess and decadence. Also not all humans participated equally in an extractive and destructive relationship with the earth - this erases histories of colonialism, imperialism, and domination of all kinds.
Overall, this is a very clever story and it will stick with me for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Violence
Moderate: Death
kristenelle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
4.75
This was strange. At points, I was really unsure how I felt about it, but by the end I wanted more! The main character is a perpetually content person very a la Candide. The setting is a future Earth that is completely covered with ocean; the only human survivors live on floating garbage.
When I was unsure about this story it was because: a) I disliked the cruelty. (It is kept light and comedic and background, but still.) b) I wish that some of the major events had been described a little more concretely. c) I don't think I buy the actual possibility of people surviving on floating garbage.
But my loves outweigh those things! Loves:
-the edgy, poetic prose
-the imagination and description of the world
-the philosophical presentation
-the main character
-the hopeful nihilism
Sexual violence? Not that I recall. Other content warnings? Nihilism, torture, dysfunctional family, child neglect/abuse.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit
Moderate: Grief and Death
Minor: Torture, Child abuse, and Drug use
aardwyrm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Stylized, surrealist weirdness makes excellent set-dressing for the relentlessly serious. Nothing about the novella makes anything like sense, but it's very pretty and at the same time gruesome, which is the best kind of pretty.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Fatphobia, Grief, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Animal death, Cancer, Chronic illness, Infertility, and Mental illness
skudiklier's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The Past is Red is depressing and funny and beautiful and horrifying and captivating. Going in I knew pretty much nothing about this book, so I was not at all prepared for how much it would tear at my heart. I don't think I'll ever forget this story, or these characters, or this world.
While reading, it kept catching me off-guard; so much of it is irreverent and darkly funny, but then it will occasionally slide effortlessly into heartfelt and sincere. It breaks my heart even more because of how rare and unexpected it is, and how genuine I know it is on the part of the character.
Also, semi-spoiler ahead, but I don't know how I was surprised every single time I ran into"None of that really happened, of course." I kept not expecting it, and it kept betraying me, and breaking my heart, and making me wonder.
The narrator, Penelope Rawlins, was wonderful as well. At first I was a little unsure, but wow they just made the story so real and charming and heartbreaking. For once I'm glad I listened to the audiobook rather than reading a print copy.
To end, here are two of my favorite quotes from the book. Because I listened to the audiobook, often while doing dishes or other things that kept my hands occupied, I didn't get to highlight/write down many lines while reading. But these were good enough that I had to:
"I think a joke like that is a present you make to yourself, so every time you say it, even if it hurts, you get a very cohesive feeling out of it, because the past you and the present you are talking to each other, and it's nice to have friends."
"The kind of hope I have isn't just greed going by its maiden name."
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the chance to review this ARC.
While reading, it kept catching me off-guard; so much of it is irreverent and darkly funny, but then it will occasionally slide effortlessly into heartfelt and sincere. It breaks my heart even more because of how rare and unexpected it is, and how genuine I know it is on the part of the character.
Also, semi-spoiler ahead, but I don't know how I was surprised every single time I ran into
The narrator, Penelope Rawlins, was wonderful as well. At first I was a little unsure, but wow they just made the story so real and charming and heartbreaking. For once I'm glad I listened to the audiobook rather than reading a print copy.
To end, here are two of my favorite quotes from the book. Because I listened to the audiobook, often while doing dishes or other things that kept my hands occupied, I didn't get to highlight/write down many lines while reading. But these were good enough that I had to:
"I think a joke like that is a present you make to yourself, so every time you say it, even if it hurts, you get a very cohesive feeling out of it, because the past you and the present you are talking to each other, and it's nice to have friends."
"The kind of hope I have isn't just greed going by its maiden name."
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the chance to review this ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Sexual content
Minor: Rape
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