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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
Incredibly unique, and artful. Much more poetic than I was expecting, but in a good way. If you listen to audiobooks, I recommend this one as an audiobook instead of reading it. You get the author's voice, and her throat singing as well. Very well done!
A powerful book that seems to intentionally muddle the lines between speculative fiction and memoir. Tagaq’s chapters are filled with poetic language to describe a deep sense of connection to the Nunavut Tundra as well as the pain of addiction and a community of peers and elders alike broken by their experiences with Canada’s residential schools. I immensely appreciated listening to this one as an audiobook. Tagaq’s reading was an immersive experience as she included chapter breaks with her signature throat singing and practical sound effects.
Parts of this book were incredibly difficult to listen to, the passages describing violence against children in particular.
But other parts were transcendent.
It’s really incredible how the author was able to blend memoir, folklore and poetry, into a cohesive story.
And I’d highly recommend listening to the audiobook, because the author includes her songs/vocalizations in between passages, and it really enhanced the experience.
But other parts were transcendent.
It’s really incredible how the author was able to blend memoir, folklore and poetry, into a cohesive story.
And I’d highly recommend listening to the audiobook, because the author includes her songs/vocalizations in between passages, and it really enhanced the experience.
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
medium-paced
"An impossible column of green light simultaneously impales my vagina and anus. My clit explodes and I am split in two from head to toe as the light from my throat joins the light in my womb and begins to make a giant fluid figure eight in my Body."
This is... not for me.
I liked the memoir segments, where Tagaq recounts her childhood in the north, but then the writing would suddenly veer into psychedelic dream sequences or graphic sexual language (including a *detailed* account of giving a blow job to a mythical fox: "He had a huge black and orange cock, veiny and pulsating. I knew I had to put him in my mouth.")
This is Not For Me (capital N, capital F, capital M).
One good quote: "Just because we are the crest of the wave does not mean the ocean does not exist."
Metaphorical prose / poetry just ain't for me.
One of the more horrifying endings I've read in any book