3.87 AVERAGE

gothiebiovenom's profile picture

gothiebiovenom's review

5.0

I accidentally the whole thing in one sitting because I loved the writing style, I loved the content, and I really loved reading this.
It was really good, and unexpected twist as well.
I really liked reading about someone with interests in things a little more alternative and how this interest lead them to a career they will love.

lugalante's review

5.0

Beautiful, amazing, majestically unguarded. This book danced its way straight into my heart to become a brand new favourite text.

calixian's review

3.0

3.5

An interesting read.

tkschramm's review

4.0

This was so interesting! I haven't read a book in prose for so long! I also found the mentions of the Riverland and the Loveday internment camp very interesting as I too have family history there!
tansybradshaw's profile picture

tansybradshaw's review

4.0

A beautiful verse novel
phoenixfaie's profile picture

phoenixfaie's review

4.0

I would like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a digital arc of The Art of Taxidermy in exchange for an honest review.

I was so intrigued about this when I read the synopsis on netgalley so I was so happy when I was approved for it.

I found the writing style of this quite interesting, the plot itself was quite slow and there didn’t seem to be too much happening, aside from Lottie finding animals and bringing them home to try and “resurrect” via taxidermy and her Aunt Hilda constantly trying to make her more of a typical girl and ultimately destroying all of her creations.

A lot of this novel is about the loss of Lotties mother, but I felt the loss of Annie a lot more, as she just couldn’t give her up, in fact it took me a little while to realise that Annie wasn’t actually real and Lottie was just imagining her.

Throughout the novel there are some stunning illustrations that help break up the pacing.

You could see that Lottie’s father wanted to support her, he cleared out his shed to give her somewhere to work, but I do believe he struggled against her Aunt Hilda- as she was the only female in her life.

I will say though, if you have issues with the concept of death or graphic mentions of death and taxidermy then maybe this isn’t for you, I did have to stop reading every now and then as I found it a little too much for me at times.

Aside from that I do have to say that this was beautifully written and it really packs a punch.

lifeandliterature's review

4.0

This was the first novel that I've ever read that is written in verse. And what a beautiful experience it was. Every page was full of such vivid imagery. I loved it! Such a touching story of love and loss and hope.
erika_kate's profile picture

erika_kate's review

3.0

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
athenesowl's profile picture

athenesowl's review

4.0

This was a beautiful novel which completely changed my attitude towards verse! It conveyed such an incredible and intriguing story in so few words...I am ever so slightly blown away.

Check out Bookstacked.com for a full review!

cowboyclaire's review

3.0

Very unique read! I definitely recommend everyone pick this up!