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sarcasticnerdette's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
kerishma's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Child death, and Self harm
mirrorofneptune's review
1.0
I confess I simply did not vibe with this book. I didn't like the writing style— was not compelled by any of the characters— found the themes and messaging clumsily-handled— and so on. I really wish I had liked it more but it ended up being the kind of book I finish so I can complain about with friends. At least the ending was fun.
rae_swabey's review
2.0
Some of the prose in this book is gorgeous, and Mackintosh certainly conjures an atmosphere, but I found this a real struggle to read. I felt no connection to any of the characters and didn’t really buy into the ‘world’ of the novel either.
It’s set on a sort of island, on which lives a family that carries out bizarre and horrific sounding rituals to protect themselves from some kind of unspecified contagion. Everything seems ambiguous, from the ‘toxins’ themselves to the relationships within the family.
The plot, I suppose, is meant to be lingering and haunting. I just found it slow and frustrating. There were a few disturbing episodes, so I can’t say it had no emotional impact, but I felt as though the emotional language of the book was too many steps removed from reality for those scenes to truly pack the punch they deserved.
I’m short, it was a book I appreciated more than enjoyed. It wasn’t really a dystopia, to my mind, more angsty literary fiction, and having enjoyed Blue Ticket, I was disappointed.
It’s set on a sort of island, on which lives a family that carries out bizarre and horrific sounding rituals to protect themselves from some kind of unspecified contagion. Everything seems ambiguous, from the ‘toxins’ themselves to the relationships within the family.
The plot, I suppose, is meant to be lingering and haunting. I just found it slow and frustrating. There were a few disturbing episodes, so I can’t say it had no emotional impact, but I felt as though the emotional language of the book was too many steps removed from reality for those scenes to truly pack the punch they deserved.
I’m short, it was a book I appreciated more than enjoyed. It wasn’t really a dystopia, to my mind, more angsty literary fiction, and having enjoyed Blue Ticket, I was disappointed.
serafinamariac's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
hiitssimone's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
readingrainbow's review
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
carolyn0613's review against another edition
4.0
This is a very odd story, full of dreamy intense heat filled days but with a nightmarish undercurrent of horror and abuse. Three sisters live with their mother in a remote hotel, accessible only by boat. Their father has recently left, taking one of their boats and hasn't returned. Their lives are full of strange rituals that they believe will keep them safe from danger especially from men and diseases. These are all very vague as the sisters haven't ever left and seen the outside world. Their mother is very controlling and emotionally abusive. Presently some men arrive after their boat capsizes and the sisters have to adjust to their presence.
I would recommend this book as the writing is excellent and the claustrophobic atmosphere is very well drawn. It is certainly not a light read though.
I would recommend this book as the writing is excellent and the claustrophobic atmosphere is very well drawn. It is certainly not a light read though.