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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
Fantastic, engaging writing. The subject matter is rough.
Incredible. I’m speechless, really... just finished this so I need a few moments to get it together...
..*deep breaths*....
Ok... SO.
You read the synopsis of the book and you think— hmm, that kinda sounds like she’s being abused at home.
..*deep breaths*....
Ok... SO.
You read the synopsis of the book and you think— hmm, that kinda sounds like she’s being abused at home.
This was an engaging story, with some really great characters that I loved and was rooting for. The author has some real talent and I believe he will be a prolific writer. That said, this book felt like it was reaching at times-- like the author had something he wanted to prove. So so wordy. So many descriptions, which sometimes I enjoy, but many times in this book it just felt like he was trying to show off all his knowledge about plants and higher level literature and guns. Whole paragraphs just to describe the mussels in the water and the plants growing along the road and so on. Also the story seems like it's about an insanely controlling sexually abusive dad and his daughter, and then it veers off into her dad becoming a sexual predator? Also, this book is hard to read at times due to the graphic sexual and physical abuse. It was definitely uncomfortable to read at certain points. I finished it, and overall enjoyed the main character Turtle, but I don't know if I would recommend the book to others.
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really didn’t like this book at first. It felt like the prose was holding me at arm’s length, making me feel disconnected from the story and from the main character.
However, the more the abusive relationship between Martin and Turtle was revealed, the more the prose felt like a gift, a glimpse into her compartmentalized world view, a natural outcome of growing up with sexual and physical abuse.
This book captures aspects of a survivor’s psyche beautifully: The seeming spell cast by the abuser’s presence, Turtle’s conflicted torment at leaving her father, her moments of testing the limits of Martin’s patience, her induction into a shared “us against the world” attitude, her periodic awakening from the spell, and her resigned returns.
Anyone asking the question “why does an abused person stay?” has a glimpse into this complex world through Turtle.
However, the more the abusive relationship between Martin and Turtle was revealed, the more the prose felt like a gift, a glimpse into her compartmentalized world view, a natural outcome of growing up with sexual and physical abuse.
This book captures aspects of a survivor’s psyche beautifully: The seeming spell cast by the abuser’s presence, Turtle’s conflicted torment at leaving her father, her moments of testing the limits of Martin’s patience, her induction into a shared “us against the world” attitude, her periodic awakening from the spell, and her resigned returns.
Anyone asking the question “why does an abused person stay?” has a glimpse into this complex world through Turtle.
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Incest, Rape, Sexual assault
