Reviews with content warning for Rape - An Unkindness of Ghosts

Reviews tagging 'Rape'

An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon

190 reviews

daria_g's review against another edition

challenging dark medium-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

As betrayed by the title, this is not a "kind" book. It will take you on the emotional journey as you follow the protagonist's investigation of the ship's mystery and get sweeped by the waves of the geberatuonal trauma. Pros: 1) Complex and beautifully crafted world, 2) Dynamic plot, 3) Diverse and loveable characters, 4) The kind of writing that will cut deep into your soul. Cons: 1) A lot of heavy scenes, 2) Bittersweet ending.

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hailstorm3812's review against another edition

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dark hopeful sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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necromandy's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

best book I have ever read. changed my life in three hours. I will remember this book like no other book I have ever read, that is a promise.

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madradstarchild's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

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orion's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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janaeq's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Trigger Warning: This book does contain abuse of every form
Slight Spoilers in this review
A gut-wrenching and heartbreaking tale about ancestral labor. There are other readers critiquing the book for not having a plot that is driven by the main character. I will say that the plot is not the reason the book is award-winning, but rather the story is not meant to be centered around a stereotypical sci-fi dystopian novel of overturning an oppressive ruler. There are several reasons why this book is five stars regardless of a "slow plot".
1. This story is very clearly a critique on American racial castes, but if one were to dig beneath the obvious parallels between chattel slavery; you could find a more nuanced discussion besides whites bad, Enslaved "good". This novel humanizes the ghosts of the enslaved. They are active participants within the story and act as ancestral/spiritual guides despite being characterized by viewed through Aster's literal and scientific perspective.
2. I would argue that the although there is the obvious man vs society struggle, the plot is not about Aster overthrowing Matilda and Lieutenant. From the beginning of the book I did not expect for a clear resolution. As this book's primary parallel is the struggle of freedom for Black Americans and the Black Diaspora (mimicked by the different cultures, languages and vegetation of the Decks), I don't expect Solomon to try to answer the question of Black Freedom which would mean a cut and dry happily ever after (the case for most white dystopian novels). I felt that the ending UKG although heartbreaking was entirely earned and even expected. If relating this book to current realities and issues of Black struggles, I don't feel it was Solomon's intention to give their commentary on how the Enslaved and disenfranchised reach freedom, but rather to illuminate those whose labor and sacrifice have been discounted and ignored on the journey there. That is to say, do not read this book for the ending, read this book for the journey.
3. Taking into consideration my previous point, Aster may be the main character but the story is really about Giselle, Lune and even Museline. Their knowing and intentional sacrifice drive the plot despite Asters sometimes haughty dismissal of Lune and Giselle as mad/crazy (although justified). I would argue that this book is a testimony to survival, labor and sacrifice of those behind us and beside us. Ancestral admiration and kinship is the basis of this book. If you do not have an understanding on the importance of ancestral and kinship ties to the Black community, it would make sense why the ending might seem disappointing, unearned or slow.
4. Simply put, the conversation on the Black Body and what that means for the black gender identity is unmatched.

The violence of the book is merely the reality of brutal and gendered enslavement. It is a heavy read, but definitely worth it.

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