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savvylit's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
5.0
As Geryon's life progresses in the pages of this novel, it becomes clear just how masterful Carson is as a poet and storyteller. Page after page is bursting with truly gorgeous and inventive imagery. Geryon is a very endearing protagonist and I felt my heart breaking on his behalf multiple times during my reading.
Honestly, I'm finding it difficult to review this book because it is so unique. Let me leave you with a few quotes from Autobiography of Red that will hopefully demonstrate the indescribable brilliance of this book:
"He lay on his bed at night listening to the silver light of stars crashing against the window screen."
"It was the hour when snow goes blue and streetlights come on and a hare may pause on the tree line as still as a word in a book."
"And now time is rushing towards them where they stand side by side with arms touching, immortality on their faces, night at their back."
Honestly, I'm finding it difficult to review this book because it is so unique. Let me leave you with a few quotes from Autobiography of Red that will hopefully demonstrate the indescribable brilliance of this book:
"He lay on his bed at night listening to the silver light of stars crashing against the window screen."
"It was the hour when snow goes blue and streetlights come on and a hare may pause on the tree line as still as a word in a book."
"And now time is rushing towards them where they stand side by side with arms touching, immortality on their faces, night at their back."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Incest, and Toxic relationship
chuckielittle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Incest
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Bullying
Minor: Drug abuse
leslielychee's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest and Sexual content
earlc's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Exquisite. I have a difficult time explaining why I like poetry, so all I can say is that this is a really beautiful, charming, and melancholy little book. There's something about Carson's language and style that's so crisp and elegant, poetry which coheres the novel's structure and adorns the story without being superfluous. It's a poet's novel done right.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest and Sexual assault
windspice's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest
Minor: Genocide
seanamcphie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Incest
serotonone's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Incest, Sexual assault, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Animal death and Sexual content
jayisreading's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
I have some familiarity with Carson’s other works, but this is the first time I sat down to read Autobiography of Red, and… I have to admit that I didn’t enjoy this as much as I thought I would. It felt like something was missing… I couldn’t tell you what, though. And maybe that’s why it’s so hard to write a proper review for this book, because I’m trying to find the words to properly describe how I felt while reading this. I certainly felt the melancholy and yearning that softly came and went. I also appreciated the particular tenderness of most lines. Sometimes, it was what was being described that was tender, but oftentimes, I felt it was the word choice that created a dreamlike space; mythical, even, which makes sense, considering the way Carson reimagined one of many ancient Greek myths. I also say dreamlike in the sense that it doesn’t feel as though this is happening in real life— Occasionally, there are nightmarish elements that appear as Geryon acknowledges his trauma that Carson explores with grace. It also helps that Carson has a particular lyricism that’s alluring and tugs at your heartstrings.
I think one minor(ish) gripe that I have about this book is that I have really mixed feelings about coming-of-age narratives where trauma/abuse shapes the protagonist, which doesn’t happen quite explicitly in Autobiography of Red, but there are elements of it that appear here and there that remind me of this “trope,” if you will.
Ultimately, I feel that this is one of those novels that needs to be read more than once to have a better grasp and understanding of what Carson is presenting. I think then I’ll find whatever that piece is that made this seem somewhat incomplete.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Incest, and Sexual assault
weus's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
one of my fave books ever. all the main characters are male & race is rly only specific for one character, but they’re all gay or bi which is why “its complicated” for a diverse cast
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Incest, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
the first couple chapters do describe the main character’s sexual assault by his older brother. however its from the pov of a child, so its not explicit. but you can definitely tell thats whats happening. its only the first few chapters thoughnymphstears's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
absolutely beautiful
one of my favourite things i've ever read
i could read about these characters forever (if told by anne carson of course)
one of my favourite things i've ever read
i could read about these characters forever (if told by anne carson of course)
Content Warnings
Minor: Incest and Sexual assault