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innerweststreetlibrarian's review
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I really enjoyed this surprise find from a lifeline book fair. It touches lightly on similar themes about the power of language to shape society that have been explored in a few other books I’ve read recently, such as The Dictionary of Lost Words and The Word Exchange.
This is quite different, and to me, much better. I enjoyed the mystery of the codex, the weird (and somewhat cynical) performance art elements, the links to Australian mythology, global exploration, the plight of refugees in Australia and the really beautiful descriptions of what it’s like to translate between languages.
It’s such an interesting mix of themes, that surprisingly to me really fit well together.
I don’t think the ending was as satisfying as it could have been, but it’s a really good read all the same.
This is quite different, and to me, much better. I enjoyed the mystery of the codex, the weird (and somewhat cynical) performance art elements, the links to Australian mythology, global exploration, the plight of refugees in Australia and the really beautiful descriptions of what it’s like to translate between languages.
It’s such an interesting mix of themes, that surprisingly to me really fit well together.
I don’t think the ending was as satisfying as it could have been, but it’s a really good read all the same.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, Racism, Suicide, and Colonisation
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