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daisreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
alicatty's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.25
ririah's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
girlglitch's review against another edition
3.0
As you can imagine from the title, The Antarctica of Love is an unrelentingly bleak novel. It's dark and brutal, and ticks off just about every trigger warning you can think of.
But it also has moments of real beauty. The translation is hauntingly poetic: it reads almost like an extended fever dream, suffused with grief, hope and bitter imagery. Stridsberg creates some intense, evolving characters - and I found it fascinating to follow the character development of a narrator who is already dead.
Stark and unique, The Antarctica of Love is an intelligent novel which makes for a bruising read.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
But it also has moments of real beauty. The translation is hauntingly poetic: it reads almost like an extended fever dream, suffused with grief, hope and bitter imagery. Stridsberg creates some intense, evolving characters - and I found it fascinating to follow the character development of a narrator who is already dead.
Stark and unique, The Antarctica of Love is an intelligent novel which makes for a bruising read.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
chrisu12's review against another edition
2.0
En bok från synvinkeln av den mördare. Istället för en polissserie där vi skymtar ett lik, så återupplever vi dödsögonblicket och tiden som leder upp till döden om och om igen. Vi ser ögonblick för huvudpersonens liv, men också huvudpersonens observationer från andra sidan, av mördaren, sin familj och barn och vad de går igenom efter döden.
Idéen för boken är intressant, huvudpersonen blir så att säga kvar och sväva som en tyst observatör så länge folk minns henne och säger hennes namn. Vi ser det drastiska i hennes liv, både som barn samt missbruket som ledde upp till att hon blev mördad. Vi ser också hennes föräldrar kämpa med sorgen och att gå vidare, samt hennes egna barns uppväxt i adoptivfamiljer och hur de så småningom upptäcker vem hon var.
Boken i sig är lite irriterande eftersom vi kommer tillbaka om och om igen till samma saker, storyn ändrar lite för varje gång och det är ju logiskt att man blir kvar och ältar något så stort som sin egen död om och om igen. Men trots detta så känns det lite tjatigt att komma tillbaka och läsa samma sak igen. Boken är också ganska mörk och deprimerande, med fokus på ensamhet, de utsatta, beroende och psykisk ohälsa. Den utmanade mig att hitta sympati för personerna, istället för att tänka att de bara borde ta tag i saken och gå vidare.
En intressant idé överlag, men som inte riktigt fungerade för mig. Språket och idéerna var fina, men de räddar ändå inte boken från att vara lite tjatig, mörk och tråkig mellan varven
Idéen för boken är intressant, huvudpersonen blir så att säga kvar och sväva som en tyst observatör så länge folk minns henne och säger hennes namn. Vi ser det drastiska i hennes liv, både som barn samt missbruket som ledde upp till att hon blev mördad. Vi ser också hennes föräldrar kämpa med sorgen och att gå vidare, samt hennes egna barns uppväxt i adoptivfamiljer och hur de så småningom upptäcker vem hon var.
Boken i sig är lite irriterande eftersom vi kommer tillbaka om och om igen till samma saker, storyn ändrar lite för varje gång och det är ju logiskt att man blir kvar och ältar något så stort som sin egen död om och om igen. Men trots detta så känns det lite tjatigt att komma tillbaka och läsa samma sak igen. Boken är också ganska mörk och deprimerande, med fokus på ensamhet, de utsatta, beroende och psykisk ohälsa. Den utmanade mig att hitta sympati för personerna, istället för att tänka att de bara borde ta tag i saken och gå vidare.
En intressant idé överlag, men som inte riktigt fungerade för mig. Språket och idéerna var fina, men de räddar ändå inte boken från att vara lite tjatig, mörk och tråkig mellan varven
thejulyrosereads's review against another edition
2.0
So, this is the first book that I have read, to my knowledge that has been translated. I found in parts that it didn't seem to read well, that being said, I understood and it didn't cause any issues. This was a hard-hitting book, it pulled at the emotions and in parts, I actually felt a little ill due to the descriptive nature of the murder. I thought it was written really well, it was haunting and captivating but I felt that it could have been shorter. That being said, it isn't a particularly long book, I read it in a few days. I found the plot lacking in suspense, you already know what has happened from the outset. I felt sorry for the character and wish she had fought harder for her life, she seemed to accept that she was going to be murdered by 'the Hunter' although she does explain some of her reasons for doing so. I also felt sorry for her children and the fact that she lost them. She needed a lot of help but never seemed to want it, or search for it. I found her to be quite a self-destructive character.
I'm glad I read it and I do thank NetGalley and Quercus Books for the digital ARC in return for an honest review.
I'm glad I read it and I do thank NetGalley and Quercus Books for the digital ARC in return for an honest review.
henrymarlene's review against another edition
3.0
Sara Stridesberg delivers a sad and poignant story about Inni. She is a tormented soul, living a life equally tormented by neglect in her childhood years, chaotic teenage years and dark choices as an adult and mother that lead her astray and to her demise. Inni is murdered. It is no secret. But how her life ceases to be in that moment is what carries through this book. The book trawls through Inni's life, the lives of her children, Valli and Solveig, her parents, and all those that remain as her life ends.
There is so much brutality and starkness round Inni, and even though she is around people (even the worst people) she is still alone, lonely and isolated. Inni in her death is lost in a void, and she 'roams' the earth following those who are left behind. These people help to tell her story. As much as there is a disgust and dirtiness to the life of Inni, and her death, there is still tenderness and warmth. Inni's life was nowhere near perfect, and her death was violent and unforgiving; its recount is grim and graphic. We are not privy to who the murderer is. Yet they are methodical and planned in their actions. Almost polar opposite to Inni and her carelessness, neglect of her own children and love for getting high.
"The Antarctica of Love" is released on 30 September. Thanks @netgalley for the e-ARC..
There is so much brutality and starkness round Inni, and even though she is around people (even the worst people) she is still alone, lonely and isolated. Inni in her death is lost in a void, and she 'roams' the earth following those who are left behind. These people help to tell her story. As much as there is a disgust and dirtiness to the life of Inni, and her death, there is still tenderness and warmth. Inni's life was nowhere near perfect, and her death was violent and unforgiving; its recount is grim and graphic. We are not privy to who the murderer is. Yet they are methodical and planned in their actions. Almost polar opposite to Inni and her carelessness, neglect of her own children and love for getting high.
"The Antarctica of Love" is released on 30 September. Thanks @netgalley for the e-ARC..