Reviews

The Gilda Stories by Jewelle Gomez

milili's review against another edition

reflective slow-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

4.0

bellist's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective slow-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

3.5

kaylin1612's review against another edition

3.0

Probably 3.5, I did end up really enjoying this book. I found it hard to get into at first, the writing style is pretty unique and I felt a bit lost at times. But by the middle of the book I was definitely hooked and really really enjoying it. My favorite chapter was the 1950s, I loved the drama that unfolded there.

I really liked how we got to see Gilda’s life through her eyes. How fast time moved for her at certain times and how slowly it moved during others. I loved seeing her build her found family. I loved her decisions to not turn certain people because she knew they’d do more with their life continuing to live it how they did.

I found it fascinating to see how the author imagined 2020 and 2050, and how so far it’s not too far off to the way things are. It’s frighteningly accurate at times.

I’m not usually big into vampire things, but lesbian vampires I can really get behind now. ;) I think this would inspire me to read more sci-fi or vampire fiction. Afro-futurism as a genre is extremely interesting to me, and I will be seeking it out more.

I think she handled the vampire lore really well, using some and creating her own. I was enthralled with their world. I loved the adding dreams as they take blood, I thought that was really special. I loved that Gilda wanted to help improve the lives of the people she was taking from. Idk I did just really enjoy watching Gilda grow and learn and love and lose and everything in between. Lovedddd Anthony and Sorel, truly such interesting characters.

Overall, ended up enjoying this book. Rating is what it is cuz it was a little disorientating at times, especially in the beginning and at the beginning of chapters. But otherwise great read :)

bbrillie's review against another edition

4.0

ngl sci-fi / supernatural books aren’t for me so i really wasn’t expecting to take away much but this really is such a fascinating spin on vampire mythology that puts it in conversation w black feminism and afro-futurism. the pacing was a bit off for me but when certain scenes clicked in a way that made it impossible for me to look away. I love the vignette-feel of each chapter but I feel like I was left wanting more from the earlier eras of Gilda’s life…definitely more Eleanor, more Sorel and Anthony, even more Julius.

probably 3.5/4?

es1265's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

egreen453's review

adventurous reflective

5.0

blurstoftimes's review against another edition

5.0

One of the most brilliant, deeply inspiring, and pertinent pieces of fiction I have ever had the privilege to read.

marieintheraw's review

2.0

I feel really awful that I didn't love this as much as I wanted to, but the narrative style was not for me. I was just not a fan of how slow, and therefore long, each section felt.

book_benagachi's review against another edition

adventurous informative inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

birdlesbian's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-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

4.5