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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
This was a quick and morbid read and I adored it entirely. Somehow calming view on death.
Beautiful verse novel on grief and love. Soon after reading this I saw a woman on Instagram who is a taxidermist.
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
I was first drawn to this book by it’s beautiful cover. Written in verse format, this book follows a German Australian girl named Lottie. After experiencing many tragic deaths within her family, Lottie becomes obsessed with collecting dead creatures. When she discovers taxidermy at the museum, she becomes captivated by the idea of preserving dead creatures from decay. I think the significance of the bush fire was to show that even when life ends, slowly but surely, it will find a way to begin again.
While I enjoyed this book, I do agree with what others said, that it was a bit too repetitive at times.
While I enjoyed this book, I do agree with what others said, that it was a bit too repetitive at times.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
3.5 out of 5
Sharon Kernot has created a beautiful novel that encompasses both life and death and the way the intertwine. It reflects grief, PTSD (I personally thought so) and the consequences death brings to a family.
At times, I found the story a little confusing and hard to grasp, however it was an enjoyable quick read.
CW: death, dead animals
Sharon Kernot has created a beautiful novel that encompasses both life and death and the way the intertwine. It reflects grief, PTSD (I personally thought so) and the consequences death brings to a family.
At times, I found the story a little confusing and hard to grasp, however it was an enjoyable quick read.
CW: death, dead animals
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Sexism, Grief
Moderate: Gore, Xenophobia, Blood, War
Minor: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts
Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
In the wake of her mother's death, Little deals with her grief by developing a fascination with death. Her father, Wolfgang, is supportive of her new-found fascination, whilst her Aunt Hilda is horrified that a girl would wish to dabble in such a pastime.
There were a few things that I think that younger teenagers may enjoy about this book. Firstly, it is written in verse, which many reluctant reader's enjoy as it leads to speedier progress through the novel. As a result of this, the plotline is linear, uncomplicated and clearly told, without being patronising. These factors would make this book accessible to a more reluctant reader, although there is certainly plenty here for an avid reader.
I enjoyed the references to Australian animals, something which I know many younger readers would find fascinating, but this book does not shy away from difficult topics such as death, grief and mentions of internment camps during the second world war.
Whilst some have classed this as a YA novel (whatever that means anymore), I'd recommend it for readers aged 11-13, as it does not contain any of the 'adult' topics that I've seen in other YA novels.
This is a charming, and beautifully written novel, and I will be purchasing a copy for the school library when it becomes available in August.
In the wake of her mother's death, Little deals with her grief by developing a fascination with death. Her father, Wolfgang, is supportive of her new-found fascination, whilst her Aunt Hilda is horrified that a girl would wish to dabble in such a pastime.
There were a few things that I think that younger teenagers may enjoy about this book. Firstly, it is written in verse, which many reluctant reader's enjoy as it leads to speedier progress through the novel. As a result of this, the plotline is linear, uncomplicated and clearly told, without being patronising. These factors would make this book accessible to a more reluctant reader, although there is certainly plenty here for an avid reader.
I enjoyed the references to Australian animals, something which I know many younger readers would find fascinating, but this book does not shy away from difficult topics such as death, grief and mentions of internment camps during the second world war.
Whilst some have classed this as a YA novel (whatever that means anymore), I'd recommend it for readers aged 11-13, as it does not contain any of the 'adult' topics that I've seen in other YA novels.
This is a charming, and beautifully written novel, and I will be purchasing a copy for the school library when it becomes available in August.
dark
reflective
3*.
I clearly need to read the books I download faster because I cannot recall what led me to download this one. It was definitely outside of my regular genre comfort zone but I enjoyed it.
The Art of Taxidermy is a novel told in short prose. It is the story of Lottie, a young girl of German descent growing up in Australia in what seems to be the 70s or 80s. Lottie has lost her mother and struggles to fit in with other children. Partly because she is outcast as a German, partly because she is odd, and partly because she is slightly obsessed with the idea of finding and re-animating dead animals.
I found Lottie endearing and despite taking a while to warm up to the writing style and the prose, I actually quite enjoyed it.
I'd recommend this one to my friends with darker tastes.
*with thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for this honest review.
I clearly need to read the books I download faster because I cannot recall what led me to download this one. It was definitely outside of my regular genre comfort zone but I enjoyed it.
The Art of Taxidermy is a novel told in short prose. It is the story of Lottie, a young girl of German descent growing up in Australia in what seems to be the 70s or 80s. Lottie has lost her mother and struggles to fit in with other children. Partly because she is outcast as a German, partly because she is odd, and partly because she is slightly obsessed with the idea of finding and re-animating dead animals.
I found Lottie endearing and despite taking a while to warm up to the writing style and the prose, I actually quite enjoyed it.
I'd recommend this one to my friends with darker tastes.
*with thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for this honest review.