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jmcampbell57's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Pregnancy, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Body horror, and Murder
Moderate: Physical abuse, Gore, Racism, and Religious bigotry
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
This was such a fantastic book, and I am always impressed every time I read from Rivers Solomon. They are an excellent writer, and I don’t know if they’ve written anything else besides The Deep (which I’ve read), but I will be seeking out their backlist.
This book follows Vern, a 15-year-old intersex kid (I say “kid” because she was a minor when this story began, and it was so upsetting what she went through) who has run away from her community (Blessed Acres of Cain also called “Cainland”), and gives birth to twins whom she names Feral and Howling. Feral and Vern are both albino, which was an interesting part of their own arcs in how they navigated feelings about their bodies, their skin, and the ways in which they were treated by society.
The compound that Vern left was originally thought of as Black power movement-inspired, but has morphed into a religious cult. Vern was married to the leader, and when the choice was brought to her, it was framed as if it was “doing her a favor”. Barf.
Vern figures out more about the compound, as well as herself in regards to her own powers. I don’t want to spoil it, but the way that the fungi comes into play, as well as the government ties, was a mind-fuck. I was not expecting that, and Solomon really surprised me.
Ultimately, I appreciated the commentary that Solomon provides on the government, cults, racism, religion, colonization, gender, and sexuality. I honored Vern’s anger, exhaustion, and unrelenting stubbornness, and was fully immersed in this gruesome story about generational trauma and the horrors of America’s history of violence against Black and indigenous folks.
Graphic: Violence, Body horror, and Racism
Moderate: Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Toxic friendship, and Animal death
shauna_grenead's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Having said all this, it is not one for the faint of heart. The writing is beautifully raw and grotesque. I don’t believe I fit the target audience for Sorrowland. I’m glad I read it anyway.
Graphic: Body horror, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Colonisation, and Animal death
Minor: Suicide
victorsbookshelf's review
4.0
Graphic: Racism, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual content, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, and Child death
mayarobinson831's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Body horror
Moderate: Homophobia, Ableism, Confinement, Racism, Addiction, Lesbophobia, Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, and Religious bigotry
turtlebrainlibrarian's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, Racism, Adult/minor relationship, and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Self harm, Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, and Child death
cleot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcoholism, Gore, Murder, Chronic illness, Adult/minor relationship, Medical content, Body horror, Medical trauma, Stalking, Homophobia, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Violence, Racism, Child abuse, Child death, Pregnancy, Transphobia, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Self harm, Torture, Animal death, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Rape, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Sexism, and Suicide
readsforlove's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's still too fresh but review is coming. For now I'll just say that this book digs into you and changes you. It's like nothing I've ever read.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Body horror, Homophobia, Animal death, Toxic relationship, Death, Stalking, Self harm, Murder, Religious bigotry, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Child abuse
mellomorissa's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, and Racism
Moderate: Sexual assault
tamaralh7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Sexual assault, and Body horror
Minor: Suicide