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the_vegan_bookworm's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This book is a really interesting exploration of grief and how we navigate life after loss. Jade's life is forever changed by the death of her twin sister Roze, and the novel is a piece of beautiful prose that looks at how this loss shapes her relationships going forward. The story explores both the perspective of Jade, as well as the other people in her life who love her. This has the effect of giving a full picture of the way that Jade affects people both past and present.
In a lot of ways, it reminded me of "You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty" by Akwaeke Emezi. Both books are deeply queer, and queerness is a central component of the protagonist's exploration of grief after traumatic loss. Both protagonists are also messy and cause accidental hurt through their chaotic relationships.
This being said, I didn't feel that "Jade Is a Twisted Green" was as fully developed as it could have been. The ending, for example, felt like it was trying to say something but that the message never really clarified. For me, the ending left me feeling a little underwhelmed and without closure. The multiple perspectives were also really interesting but sometimes items, such as past traumas for side characters, would appear in these other stories and never be meaningfully addressed. It left me feeling a bit of whiplash emotionally.
I think this book is still a great read, and I can't wait to see what else the author publishes going forward.
In a lot of ways, it reminded me of "You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty" by Akwaeke Emezi. Both books are deeply queer, and queerness is a central component of the protagonist's exploration of grief after traumatic loss. Both protagonists are also messy and cause accidental hurt through their chaotic relationships.
This being said, I didn't feel that "Jade Is a Twisted Green" was as fully developed as it could have been. The ending, for example, felt like it was trying to say something but that the message never really clarified. For me, the ending left me feeling a little underwhelmed and without closure. The multiple perspectives were also really interesting but sometimes items, such as past traumas for side characters, would appear in these other stories and never be meaningfully addressed. It left me feeling a bit of whiplash emotionally.
I think this book is still a great read, and I can't wait to see what else the author publishes going forward.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol, Grief, and Infidelity
Moderate: Child abuse, Suicide, and Pedophilia
mjscooke's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I received an electronic advenced reading copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
From the first page I was struck by Tanya Turton's sultry use of words to envelope the reader in the atmosphere of her story. I highlighted so many sentences that felt like silk and would definitely recommend this novel to anyone a good description. I did however struggle to stay engaged at time as the story is meandering. It is far more about the atmosphere and the characters surround the principle Jade. So many chapter are dedicated to how those in Jade's orbit relate to her, with frequent flashbacks to explain their connections. Little happens in the main thread of the story until the third act but this works as it mimics Jade's internal journey. At it's core this is a story of grief, letting go and allowing yourself to bloom. Give it a chance if you enjoy slow, melodic stories that a slice of real life.
From the first page I was struck by Tanya Turton's sultry use of words to envelope the reader in the atmosphere of her story. I highlighted so many sentences that felt like silk and would definitely recommend this novel to anyone a good description. I did however struggle to stay engaged at time as the story is meandering. It is far more about the atmosphere and the characters surround the principle Jade. So many chapter are dedicated to how those in Jade's orbit relate to her, with frequent flashbacks to explain their connections. Little happens in the main thread of the story until the third act but this works as it mimics Jade's internal journey. At it's core this is a story of grief, letting go and allowing yourself to bloom. Give it a chance if you enjoy slow, melodic stories that a slice of real life.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Drug use and Alcohol
queerspoons's review
emotional
reflective
medium-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
2.5
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Jade is a Twisted Green is a beautiful story about grief, identity, and the different forms love can take. It switches perspective between multiple characters and time periods, which can make it a little confusing at first, but the reader is quickly launched into the world of Little Jamaica (in Toronto) and its inhabitants.
The use of dialects throughout the book (and thus the code switching of characters) is a love letter in and of itself to anyone who grew up speaking a nonstandard version of a language. It is celebrated, normalized, and not explained within the novel’s pages. While at times, the narrative felt stunted and we were told about the characters’ feelings rather than shown in some way, the overarching themes held the book up well.
Jade is a Twisted Green is a beautiful story about grief, identity, and the different forms love can take. It switches perspective between multiple characters and time periods, which can make it a little confusing at first, but the reader is quickly launched into the world of Little Jamaica (in Toronto) and its inhabitants.
The use of dialects throughout the book (and thus the code switching of characters) is a love letter in and of itself to anyone who grew up speaking a nonstandard version of a language. It is celebrated, normalized, and not explained within the novel’s pages. While at times, the narrative felt stunted and we were told about the characters’ feelings rather than shown in some way, the overarching themes held the book up well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Alcohol
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