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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
I genuinely thought my Kindle had done something weird to the format when I started reading The Art of Taxidermy. I had no idea what was going on until it dawned on me – this book was written in verse.
And I hated that.
This is a story about grief. A story about a little Australian girl, Lottie, who has experienced far too much death for someone so young and it’s slooowly transformed into a fascination with all things dead. Her father indulges her and encourages it with his Science Is The BEST hat on, whilst her aunt decides that it’s absolutely not the way a young lady should be behaving and punishes her at every god damn opportunity.
Let’s get one thing straight: her obsession isn’t about violence. It’s about understanding death and appreciating it. It does, however, come with a few social hangups.
Lottie’s obsession turns into taxidermy. Her taxidermy creeps people out. The creeping out of people turns her into a loner. The loner status means these dead things become her friends.
And that’s all I’ve got.
Although this book’s technically beautifully written, it’s just not my bag. I tried (oh, how I tried) to love it, but I was just painstakingly bored and wishing it was written a different way.
This is a Marmite book; loved by many, but not for me.
And I hated that.
This is a story about grief. A story about a little Australian girl, Lottie, who has experienced far too much death for someone so young and it’s slooowly transformed into a fascination with all things dead. Her father indulges her and encourages it with his Science Is The BEST hat on, whilst her aunt decides that it’s absolutely not the way a young lady should be behaving and punishes her at every god damn opportunity.
Let’s get one thing straight: her obsession isn’t about violence. It’s about understanding death and appreciating it. It does, however, come with a few social hangups.
Lottie’s obsession turns into taxidermy. Her taxidermy creeps people out. The creeping out of people turns her into a loner. The loner status means these dead things become her friends.
And that’s all I’ve got.
Although this book’s technically beautifully written, it’s just not my bag. I tried (oh, how I tried) to love it, but I was just painstakingly bored and wishing it was written a different way.
This is a Marmite book; loved by many, but not for me.
2.5 stars
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The Art of Taxidermy is a story written in verse. It took me a bit to get into the story because of that, as I don’t tend to read novels in verse very often. The writing style was gorgeous in this, it was beautifully crafted. The writing style was my favourite aspect of The Art of Taxidermy. Due to the fact that it was written in verse I managed to fly through this book a lot faster than I thought I would.(Just thought I would mention that as well.)
As you can already guess, by the title of this book, the story has a big focus on taxidermy. There are quite a few gruesome scenes and descriptions in this book. If descriptions of dead animals bother you I would definitely stay clear of this book! Personally, it wasn’t something that bothered me. But then again I grew up reading Stephen King, so I can stomach quite a lot.
Speaking of the story, I was bored while reading this book. It seemed like nothing was happening and there were some repetitive moments. The characters also weren’t that memorable to me. All of them just felt flat. I couldn’t connect to Lottie at all, as she seemed unfazed by everything that was happening around her. The only thing that seemed to interest her was taxidermy and nothing else. I do understand in some ways why it was like that, but because of it I couldn’t emotionally connect to the story. One of the side characters is an Aboriginal boy, so there was some talk about indigenous people. I can’t comment on how that representation was handled.
Overall, The Art of Taxidermy was beautifully written but it lacked in story and characters. I’m not sure if this was a case of just me not connecting to the book, or if the story and characters weren’t well crafted. I think I’m unsure because of the format that this book was written in, as it’s not something that I’m used to.
Originally posted on my blog, starlightkosmos
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The Art of Taxidermy is a story written in verse. It took me a bit to get into the story because of that, as I don’t tend to read novels in verse very often. The writing style was gorgeous in this, it was beautifully crafted. The writing style was my favourite aspect of The Art of Taxidermy. Due to the fact that it was written in verse I managed to fly through this book a lot faster than I thought I would.
As you can already guess, by the title of this book, the story has a big focus on taxidermy. There are quite a few gruesome scenes and descriptions in this book. If descriptions of dead animals bother you I would definitely stay clear of this book! Personally, it wasn’t something that bothered me. But then again I grew up reading Stephen King, so I can stomach quite a lot.
Speaking of the story, I was bored while reading this book. It seemed like nothing was happening and there were some repetitive moments. The characters also weren’t that memorable to me. All of them just felt flat. I couldn’t connect to Lottie at all, as she seemed unfazed by everything that was happening around her. The only thing that seemed to interest her was taxidermy and nothing else. I do understand in some ways why it was like that, but because of it I couldn’t emotionally connect to the story. One of the side characters is an Aboriginal boy, so there was some talk about indigenous people. I can’t comment on how that representation was handled.
Overall, The Art of Taxidermy was beautifully written but it lacked in story and characters. I’m not sure if this was a case of just me not connecting to the book, or if the story and characters weren’t well crafted. I think I’m unsure because of the format that this book was written in, as it’s not something that I’m used to.
Originally posted on my blog, starlightkosmos
This wonderful book is written in verse and is based around the 1980's. It's the first type of verse book that I have read, it did not disappoint.
The story focuses around Lottie, who is silently struggling with the loss of her mother, the book flits between the past and present whilst giving a glimpse at what her family were like when they were still alive.
As Lottie begins to have a fascination with Taxidermy, family members try everything to make the little girl she should be and not the girl Lottie wants to be. The writing and story telling in itself is I would say beautifully morbid, there's a love and sadness that grows within the book and the use of imagery is beautiful.
It showed how each character portrayed different stages of grief and how they deal with their own sadness and loss which was a very interesting interpretation.
Without giving too much away, I thoroughly enjoyed this book more than I thought I would and I would highly recommend. Also, can I just point out that the cover works is absolutely gorgeous, the book itself is a beautiful tale. However, if you are squeamish towards certain animal natures, then I would tell you to read lightly.
The Art of Taxidermy by Sharon Kernot is a tremendous read and I can't wait for more of her work to follow.
The book will be released in the UK by Text Publishing Company on the 23rd August 2019 and I would strongly suggest picking it up.
The story focuses around Lottie, who is silently struggling with the loss of her mother, the book flits between the past and present whilst giving a glimpse at what her family were like when they were still alive.
As Lottie begins to have a fascination with Taxidermy, family members try everything to make the little girl she should be and not the girl Lottie wants to be. The writing and story telling in itself is I would say beautifully morbid, there's a love and sadness that grows within the book and the use of imagery is beautiful.
It showed how each character portrayed different stages of grief and how they deal with their own sadness and loss which was a very interesting interpretation.
Without giving too much away, I thoroughly enjoyed this book more than I thought I would and I would highly recommend. Also, can I just point out that the cover works is absolutely gorgeous, the book itself is a beautiful tale. However, if you are squeamish towards certain animal natures, then I would tell you to read lightly.
The Art of Taxidermy by Sharon Kernot is a tremendous read and I can't wait for more of her work to follow.
The book will be released in the UK by Text Publishing Company on the 23rd August 2019 and I would strongly suggest picking it up.
This book is so beautifully Australian in every breath and comma. Sharon Kernot has done amazing and it's no surprise that it was shortlisted for The Text Prize in 2017.
"She has a scientist's heart.
It is in the genes. She is curious
and she is bright." (8).
Charlotte has a fascination with dead things. She spends her time with Annie collecting them and making tributes and galleries. There's heartbreak littered throughout this verse novel as you watch the family recovering from death and trauma. The novel's form is perfect and I couldn't imagine its innocence and wanting in anything other than lines of poetry.
I think this novel also begins to draw on discussions of estrangement and discrimination in a really different way, discussing First Nations and German suffering within Australia and the links to death. It's heartbreaking and it's special.
'The Art of Taxidermy' is a reminder about the importance of history, of death and of communication and growth in the face of grief. Whilst Charlotte's interest in taxidermy is condemned by her Aunt, we watch her develop skills and nurture the relationships around her with her careful consideration of death.
I really loved this one.
"She has a scientist's heart.
It is in the genes. She is curious
and she is bright." (8).
Charlotte has a fascination with dead things. She spends her time with Annie collecting them and making tributes and galleries. There's heartbreak littered throughout this verse novel as you watch the family recovering from death and trauma. The novel's form is perfect and I couldn't imagine its innocence and wanting in anything other than lines of poetry.
I think this novel also begins to draw on discussions of estrangement and discrimination in a really different way, discussing First Nations and German suffering within Australia and the links to death. It's heartbreaking and it's special.
'The Art of Taxidermy' is a reminder about the importance of history, of death and of communication and growth in the face of grief. Whilst Charlotte's interest in taxidermy is condemned by her Aunt, we watch her develop skills and nurture the relationships around her with her careful consideration of death.
I really loved this one.
I think this is the first book of poetry I have ever reviewed on this blog. Yay for firsts! To be honest, when I first requested it, I didn’t realize it was poetry, which was a surprise when I started reading it. I haven’t really read poetry since college, and I must say, it was a truly beautiful experience.
The poems all connect to tell the story of Lotte, a young girl who has lost her mother. One of the ways she copes with it is by finding dead animals — birds, mice, mostly small things — and collecting them. She is fascinated by them. Her Aunt Hilde is worried about her doing this, finding it morbid and weird, and actually destroys Lotte’s collections on several occasions. I have to say, I really disliked Hilde, even though I know she was doing what she thought was right. Lotte had to find her own way to deal with her grief and this way was working. It was not a morbid fascination with death, but a reverence for the gift of life.
I did forgive Hilde when she gave Lotte a kitten. Kittens will help me forgive almost anyone.
Lotte also uses her love for animals and her amateur taxidermy skills to feel closer to her sister, Annie. We find out towards the end of the story that Annie has also died, though Lotte still feels her presence, especially when searching for her specimens. Lotte’s father is dealing with his own grief, but also eventually supports Lotte’s scientific mind and interest in animals.
This book was absolutely lovely. Heartbreaking in places, but ultimately hopeful. It’s a story about a family’s love for one another, shown in different ways, but very strong and real.
The poems all connect to tell the story of Lotte, a young girl who has lost her mother. One of the ways she copes with it is by finding dead animals — birds, mice, mostly small things — and collecting them. She is fascinated by them. Her Aunt Hilde is worried about her doing this, finding it morbid and weird, and actually destroys Lotte’s collections on several occasions. I have to say, I really disliked Hilde, even though I know she was doing what she thought was right. Lotte had to find her own way to deal with her grief and this way was working. It was not a morbid fascination with death, but a reverence for the gift of life.
I did forgive Hilde when she gave Lotte a kitten. Kittens will help me forgive almost anyone.
Lotte also uses her love for animals and her amateur taxidermy skills to feel closer to her sister, Annie. We find out towards the end of the story that Annie has also died, though Lotte still feels her presence, especially when searching for her specimens. Lotte’s father is dealing with his own grief, but also eventually supports Lotte’s scientific mind and interest in animals.
This book was absolutely lovely. Heartbreaking in places, but ultimately hopeful. It’s a story about a family’s love for one another, shown in different ways, but very strong and real.
Beautiful and creative. Short book that tells such a complete and interesting story.
"It is not macabre or ghoulish to hold on, to resurrect, to re-imagine, to re-create. It is a way of honouring beauty. It is a way to hold on to life."
The Art of Taxidermy is a novel in verse about family, loss, dealing with the past--and, of course, taxidermy. Lottie, an Australian of German descent, has lost her mother and baby sibling in one fell swoop. She's not entirely overthe death of her older sister , either. As Lottie navigates her grief, and her father tries to support her as best as he can through her own grief, she gravitates towards the body and bones of dead animals. For her, preserving and holding on to these bodies is a way to honor life, figuratively resurrect the dead, and cope with her grief. Even though this new hobby clashes with her aunt's idea of what healthy coping and teen-girl activities look like, she remains firm in her convictions and scientific inclinations.
This book has some great imagery, as well, and the parallels between taxidermy and processing sadness were really compelling without feeling contrived. There were a few twists and secrets in the book that I truly didn't see coming but that made me want to return to the book again just to catch the deeper layers. I really appreciated reading this book, and it'd be great for anyone processing loss in the family or coming to terms with difficult family history. My only major complaint was that my e-book format messed with the verse formatting.
[Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]
The Art of Taxidermy is a novel in verse about family, loss, dealing with the past--and, of course, taxidermy. Lottie, an Australian of German descent, has lost her mother and baby sibling in one fell swoop. She's not entirely over
This book has some great imagery, as well, and the parallels between taxidermy and processing sadness were really compelling without feeling contrived. There were a few twists and secrets in the book that I truly didn't see coming but that made me want to return to the book again just to catch the deeper layers. I really appreciated reading this book, and it'd be great for anyone processing loss in the family or coming to terms with difficult family history. My only major complaint was that my e-book format messed with the verse formatting.
[Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]
*I received this book from NetGalley in return for a honest review*
I wasn't aware that this book was written in verse before I started reading it, but I really enjoyed it. I loved the character of Lottie and how passionately she cares about dead things and their preservation and how it affects her family life.
Having the story in verse gave way to hearing both the inner voice of Lottie as well as moving the story forward, which sometimes went in a way that I wasn't expecting.
Overall this was a fun, relatively quick read that I really enjoyed and would be a good introduction to verse novels.
I wasn't aware that this book was written in verse before I started reading it, but I really enjoyed it. I loved the character of Lottie and how passionately she cares about dead things and their preservation and how it affects her family life.
Having the story in verse gave way to hearing both the inner voice of Lottie as well as moving the story forward, which sometimes went in a way that I wasn't expecting.
Overall this was a fun, relatively quick read that I really enjoyed and would be a good introduction to verse novels.
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Absolutely beautiful.
this was one of the most unique and deeply endearing books i’ve ever read. it spoke to my bones and my soul.