Scan barcode
anth's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.75
However, I'm not sure I completely get where the story went. I think I do, but the doubt leaves me hanging. Maybe that's the point. I don't know what was the point, but maybe it was leaving me here to think about what the point was.
Graphic: Transphobia and Deadnaming
Moderate: Sexual assault, Child death, and Miscarriage
Minor: Misogyny
mryshells's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Deadnaming, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Medical content, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Transphobia, and Violence
Moderate: Ableism, Alcohol, Antisemitism, Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Outing, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexism
tenten's review
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
the historical Mary Shelley parts were my favorite, which was a surprise because i don't normally like historical fiction. this book is clearly well-researched (except for the transgender character lol), and i think the fact that the historical characters were real people benefitted Winterson—that is to say, they actually had distinctive personalities and their conversations felt more <i>real</i> than anyone in the modern day, even though they got int a lot of philosophical debates too.
the only modern character that didn't feel one-dimensional to me was Victor, because he was very strange and passionate and had strong convictions in a way that felt more fleshed out than everyone else. something about the intensity of Claire's religious fervor rubbed me the wrong way, especially because she was the only black one (as an aside, i hate when (white) writers only point out the race of non-white characters. i never read a character description that's like "Claire was tall, white, beautiful..." like, i get it, whiteness is your default but sheesh.)
i wasn't as bothered by Ron's misogyny as other readers because i understood that as being the point, and Polly D didn't feel relevant for most of the book (neither did Claire, honestly.)
i'm all for stream-of-consciousness and a plot that isn't so clear cut but this felt like Winterson trying to work through her thoughts about AI and transhumanism and faith and science, and the characters are kinda just there as mouthpieces. I watched a documentary about Toni Morrison last year where she talks about how she writes to answer/explore questions and ideas, which clearly Winterson is doing here, but with Morrison, her characters and stories are at least fully fleshed out, even when there isn't a very complex plot.
i noticed that a lot of queer readers took issue with Ry's characterization. i understood the transphobia as being a reflection of the other characters's ignorance, but Ry's passivity about it annoyed me. i don't know if it was Winterson's intention for Ry to be non-binary rather than specifically a trans man, but i think that would've worked better, but my perception is colored by the fact that i'm non-binary. this isn't to say that non-binary people are comfortable being misgendered and deadnamed, but i think some of Ry's ideals about gender, and their own gender identity, aligned lore with non-binaryness.
this is a spoiler but:
overall, i thought this was just...ok, and probs wouldn't read it again. i checked this out from the library and was torn between this and Daisy Jones & the Six, and i wish i had checked that out instead 😭 i don't think i liked Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit that much either, so i think that Winterson and i just might not mesh!?
Graphic: Transphobia, Sexual content, and Deadnaming
Moderate: Body horror, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Confinement, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, and Rape
meganisreading's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Transphobia, and Deadnaming
Moderate: Racism
bookedbymadeline's review
Problematic: Ry compliments a Black woman’s hair by saying she looks like an expert “maybe because of how you style it. Very professional.” As I’ve seen from other reviewers the book does not get any better in Trans rep for Ry. I have no interest in reading about a Trans character that is written for cis people like myself and would rather spend my time on books with more accurate representation.
Where is the story even set in?! First they talk about Memphis then they’re going to a bar in Trafalgar Square?
Graphic: Deadnaming, Misogyny, Sexism, and Transphobia
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Ableism and Child death
sophiewelsh's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
1.5
Graphic: Antisemitism, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Deadnaming, Gore, Homophobia, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Transphobia
morebedsidebooks's review
2.0
Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Child death, Sexism, Misogyny, Transphobia, Sexual assault, and Racism
Moderate: Pedophilia
rileyeffective's review
1.5
I liked the two timelines that the book had, especially because they were at two very different points in scientific development, yet the people were occupied with very similar issues. The many references to the history and content Frankenstein are also carefully thought out. If you have not read Frankenstein and want to read Frankisstein, read Frankenstein first. Otherwise a lot will go lost on you.
Those were the only positive things about the book. The book features transphobia and misgendering throughout. A lot of characters are not understanding of the gender identity of the trans character. I also have to point out that there is sexual assault described in detail (why was that scene in there to begin with?). I would honestly recommend reading something else instead.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Transphobia, Deadnaming, and Misogyny
hmatt's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Transphobia, and Deadnaming
Moderate: Body horror, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Misogyny, Medical content, and Homophobia
Minor: Child death, Confinement, Death, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Sexism