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aurorabulgaris's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Uninspiring read. A fly on the wall type of story, which didnt really resonate with me on any level.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, and Sexual content
pigeonindustrialcomplex's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Beautifully written, certain surreal parts read like poetry in a way. The narrative is so dream-like that it enhances the impact of the last few paragraphs immensely. I reckon I'll remember Máni Steinn, and Bósi, for a long time even if I never re-read the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Medical content, Forced institutionalization, Death, and Grief
Minor: Gore, Miscarriage, Chronic illness, War, Excrement, and Violence
yannea's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This book is like watching a silent movie. And I don't even mean it as a pun (silent movies are referenced a lot in this story). Or like following someone with a handheld camera but never interacting. And while I don't mind explicit scenes per se, the length of the story did not prepare me for so many sex scenes.
I do have to give a star for the historical background and how it was weaved into the story. The Second World war and Spanish Flu epidemic sounded eerily familiar as we now, 100 years later, have Ukrainian war and Covid. Hard to believe the book was published in 2013.
I do have to give a star for the historical background and how it was weaved into the story. The Second World war and Spanish Flu epidemic sounded eerily familiar as we now, 100 years later, have Ukrainian war and Covid. Hard to believe the book was published in 2013.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, and Homophobia
Minor: Forced institutionalization
loosetoothfool's review against another edition
emotional
4.5
im a bit at a loss for words right now woah
Moonstone is strange, intruiging, disturbing, beautiful and fleeting.
i am a sucker for a very short lyrical weird book and this is no exception. i devoured this so quickly in one afternoon and feel like it deserves more diving into. its set at such an interesting time and place in history and the main character is so intruiging and captivating with his interest for cinema and the vampires film. it was disturbing reading his sexual scenes with adults, as he is a teenager, but it is, tragically, likely a very real experience for gay people in that time period. this book was quietly heart breaking when you think more about it. the book is over so quick that u less feel the emotions in the moment, but in the aftermath.
another thing that made this hit hard, reading in 2022, was how the plague/pandemic resonated so much for the current moment, over 100 years after this was set. the way that we react in pandemic is still the same. it hit hard
i found the writing so lyrical and it sucked me in. there were profound insights and little mysteries about the character. oh man I just LOVE weird beautifully written short books.
Moonstone is strange, intruiging, disturbing, beautiful and fleeting.
i am a sucker for a very short lyrical weird book and this is no exception. i devoured this so quickly in one afternoon and feel like it deserves more diving into. its set at such an interesting time and place in history and the main character is so intruiging and captivating with his interest for cinema and the vampires film. it was disturbing reading his sexual scenes with adults, as he is a teenager, but it is, tragically, likely a very real experience for gay people in that time period. this book was quietly heart breaking when you think more about it. the book is over so quick that u less feel the emotions in the moment, but in the aftermath.
another thing that made this hit hard, reading in 2022, was how the plague/pandemic resonated so much for the current moment, over 100 years after this was set. the way that we react in pandemic is still the same. it hit hard
i found the writing so lyrical and it sucked me in. there were profound insights and little mysteries about the character. oh man I just LOVE weird beautifully written short books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Pedophilia, Death, Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, Outing, Child death, Death of parent, Blood, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Excrement, Medical content, and Vomit
therainbowshelf's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
5.0
As usual, I didn't read the description first and really enjoyed this. I read it for a books in translation challenge. I didn't anticipate the historic pandemic element! I liked the contrast between Máni's life and silent films. Many stunning lines in this book as well, like the one about the mortician having unexpected coffin orders at home. Content warnings for death, adult-minor sexual relations, and homophobia.
📚 The gist 📚: Máni Steinn loves silent films and escapes into their worlds as often as he can. Theaters are a place of sollace for him in early 1900s Iceland where homosexuality is not accepted. On top of the threat of being outed, Máni's life is impacted by societal threats, including a pandemic and the threat of war on the horizon.
📒Representation📒 mlm
💕 For readers looking for 💕: historical fiction, pandemics, silent films, queer protagonist, novel in verse, stunning verse.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Violence, Outing, Homophobia, and Forced institutionalization
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