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storia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is truly unlike anything I've read. I've never read Robinson before and I'm interested in the Gilead trilogy but it seemed right to start here.
I'm not even sure what to say about it. A young girl gives an account of her trauma and childhood. Throughout there are small, unexpected details in her story that give an almost cold magic to the writing. That's the best I can describe it.
I'm not even sure what to say about it. A young girl gives an account of her trauma and childhood. Throughout there are small, unexpected details in her story that give an almost cold magic to the writing. That's the best I can describe it.
Minor: Suicide
whatkathrynreads_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Suicide
mariamnel's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Suicide, Death, and Mental illness
stevie's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.25
Graphic: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Suicide
kell_xavi's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
This is a somber novel flush with strangeness. It is narrated by Ruthie, and begins with a story of her grandfather taking a train into Fingerbone and staying there, where her grandmother would raise four daughters alone, and the daughters would flee and some would return to wander through and leave parts of themselves behind. Two main themes are home and family, and how melancholy can pervade these both—the story takes place mainly in Fingerbone, between its train and its river, and often within the walls of the house Ruthie’s grandfather built. Both place and lineage hold tragedy, mental illness or neurodivergence creating spaces between people, silences, dissociative hazes, passivity or disinterest or simply desires for elsewhere and other people.
Robinson writes in beautiful language that reads like clear water. Though some parts of this book are heavy, full of filth, discomfort and neglect that made me anxious and sad, the writing binds them together with crisp imagery, reflection on religion and memory, a sense of peace within the creeping fear. I look forward to reading more by her.
Robinson writes in beautiful language that reads like clear water. Though some parts of this book are heavy, full of filth, discomfort and neglect that made me anxious and sad, the writing binds them together with crisp imagery, reflection on religion and memory, a sense of peace within the creeping fear. I look forward to reading more by her.
Moderate: Suicide, Abandonment, Death, and Death of parent
ekmoore11's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Moderate: Suicide, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Abandonment
milliebrierley's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
valentinazanotto's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Suicide and Suicidal thoughts
vague_coffeecup's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Suicide
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