Scan barcode
readundancies's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? No
4.75
I'm at a bit of a loss for words to explain exactly how much I feel for this novella.
There were so many themes tackled from what it means to hope, to pharmaceutical usage, to the environment, to humanity's need to persist within it's own selfishness, etc.
Catherynne M. Valente has created a world borne out of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch with all of its wonderfully whimsical regions like Pill Hill and Electric City and Aluminimopolis and it made both the saving grace and last stand of humanity, with St. Oscar the Grouch as their patron. And I loved it. I wanted to see it in 3D, to feel the heat from the candles burning in Candle Hole, to see the wondrous plays on the barge that was Brighton Pier, to wander the gasoline gardens of Engine Row. The world-building was not poetic in its prose, but it was eye-catching and evocative and bluntly brilliant and I could've stayed within it's confines learning more about it as time past me by without a care in the world.
I still want to.
But the real delight of the story lies in it's narrator: Tetley Abednego. Tetley is the kind of character that is the embodiment of hope because she never gets down on herself when the going gets rough (and the going gets ROUGH for her, real rough). She was always herself, cheerful, honest to a fault - *always* to a fault - and underestimated and undervalued, constantly pushing on to the beat of her own drum, often to her own detriment (mostly to her own detriment) for the greater good. I simply adored her.
The story in both parts has two sort of timelines which culminate to an end that is neither awe-inspiring nor disappointing. It's just this wonderful little peek into a speculative future that is more reminiscent than meant to impart teachings.
My heart is so full of this tale and Tetley and I never really wanted to step out of it. Instead, I will just have to get a physical copy of this book and read it over and over again like I never left.
So I end this review with a reverent salute to the author:
Thank you, Madame Valente, for my instruction.
There were so many themes tackled from what it means to hope, to pharmaceutical usage, to the environment, to humanity's need to persist within it's own selfishness, etc.
Catherynne M. Valente has created a world borne out of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch with all of its wonderfully whimsical regions like Pill Hill and Electric City and Aluminimopolis and it made both the saving grace and last stand of humanity, with St. Oscar the Grouch as their patron. And I loved it. I wanted to see it in 3D, to feel the heat from the candles burning in Candle Hole, to see the wondrous plays on the barge that was Brighton Pier, to wander the gasoline gardens of Engine Row. The world-building was not poetic in its prose, but it was eye-catching and evocative and bluntly brilliant and I could've stayed within it's confines learning more about it as time past me by without a care in the world.
I still want to.
But the real delight of the story lies in it's narrator: Tetley Abednego. Tetley is the kind of character that is the embodiment of hope because she never gets down on herself when the going gets rough (and the going gets ROUGH for her, real rough). She was always herself, cheerful, honest to a fault - *always* to a fault - and underestimated and undervalued, constantly pushing on to the beat of her own drum, often to her own detriment (mostly to her own detriment) for the greater good. I simply adored her.
The story in both parts has two sort of timelines which culminate to an end that is neither awe-inspiring nor disappointing. It's just this wonderful little peek into a speculative future that is more reminiscent than meant to impart teachings.
My heart is so full of this tale and Tetley and I never really wanted to step out of it. Instead, I will just have to get a physical copy of this book and read it over and over again like I never left.
So I end this review with a reverent salute to the author:
Thank you, Madame Valente, for my instruction.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse and Violence
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
jacquelynjoan's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Catherynne Valente may be my number one favorite author, however I do not like dystopias and I just read Parable of the Sower and saw news stories about climate change affecting ocean currents and so I did not exactly love this because it's too real. I am scared. The book had a light tone and the protagonist was adapting to the new world which was her only world and it's a funny, tongue-in-cheek short book about how we "f***wits" f***ed it all up, but humans are resilient and adaptable and will still find beauty and tell stories and fall in love no matter what.
Content Warnings
Minor: Physical abuse, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
More...