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chyneyee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The writing style and descriptions are superbly beautiful. It has an expansive vocabulary, and I gave up looking for the meanings unless necessary. Although beautifully written, it can be long-winded and crowded with superfluous details. I ignore the bigotry jokes (due to the geographical history and publishing year) so that it does not contribute to my rating. It's a solid story that reflects the author's life.
I strongly dislike the main character Tom because he has full of unfunny jokes, self-pity, and is an egotistical person. In fact, there are no loveable characters in this story, and Luke probably is the only one that can be slightly more acceptable than others. I feel Savannah is very observant and sees more things than others in the family. It's a family tragedy, or according to Savannah in the story, it's a very screwed-up family. Both Luke and Savannah are fighters but not Tom.
I'm very conflicted and in a dilemma in rating this book. It's a good story if ignoring the racist and sexist jokes plus long-winded details, which deserves a 4 out of 5. But I don't like wordy books, and I don't like most of the characters, especially Tom. Maybe it's 3.5 out of 5?
I strongly dislike the main character Tom because he has full of unfunny jokes, self-pity, and is an egotistical person. In fact, there are no loveable characters in this story, and Luke probably is the only one that can be slightly more acceptable than others. I feel Savannah is very observant and sees more things than others in the family. It's a family tragedy, or according to Savannah in the story, it's a very screwed-up family. Both Luke and Savannah are fighters but not Tom.
I'm very conflicted and in a dilemma in rating this book. It's a good story if ignoring the racist and sexist jokes plus long-winded details, which deserves a 4 out of 5. But I don't like wordy books, and I don't like most of the characters, especially Tom. Maybe it's 3.5 out of 5?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Domestic abuse, and Sexism
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis and Antisemitism
Minor: Rape and Suicide attempt
martinelecorff's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
although some of the themes did not age well, this book is magnificent. i will carry its story and characters with me for a long long time
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, Racism, Child abuse, Death, and Murder
writingcaia's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The story, the writing, the setting, the characters… I’m awed and in love.
“My wound is geography. It is also my anchorage, my port of call.”
Thus starts this tale.
A story of a man who wants to save his thrice suicide attempting twin sister and in doing so with the help of her therapist, and in the midst of a quasi-divorce, ends up saving himself by recounting the amazing and terrible upbringing in an idillic island on the marshes of Colleton South Carolina, of his incredible and brutal family, the raging abusive veteran father, the deceitful cunning mother, the pious good hearted grandfather, the adventurer passionate grandmother, his strong and beautiful older brother - the prince of tides, his twin the artist, the genius, the mad, and of himself and his terrible fault of trying to be conforming and sane amidst insanity.
The words are poetry and they take you down the path of Tom Wingo and his love for the south and his family, even when there’re as many reasons to love and to hate it.
The racist south, that is also so homecoming, the beautiful marshes, the oysters and shrimp always on the table, the otters and dolphins, the sunsets, the salty and tanned skin, the brine and mud, the wonderful nature, and the isolation that can be peaceful and treacherous.
One of my favourite things is the desperate honest need Tom has to be helped, and how finally he gets the will to procure it and be better, and fix himself as best he can.
A road to beauty, joy, hate, love, brutality, violence, love, madness and fantasy. It was a joy and wonder to follow this road through the author’s words, and I can’t wait to read more from him.
P. S.: some may say it has a lot of purple prose but for me it is just poetic and wonderful, able to conjure all the feelings.
“My wound is geography. It is also my anchorage, my port of call.”
Thus starts this tale.
A story of a man who wants to save his thrice suicide attempting twin sister and in doing so with the help of her therapist, and in the midst of a quasi-divorce, ends up saving himself by recounting the amazing and terrible upbringing in an idillic island on the marshes of Colleton South Carolina, of his incredible and brutal family, the raging abusive veteran father, the deceitful cunning mother, the pious good hearted grandfather, the adventurer passionate grandmother, his strong and beautiful older brother - the prince of tides, his twin the artist, the genius, the mad, and of himself and his terrible fault of trying to be conforming and sane amidst insanity.
The words are poetry and they take you down the path of Tom Wingo and his love for the south and his family, even when there’re as many reasons to love and to hate it.
The racist south, that is also so homecoming, the beautiful marshes, the oysters and shrimp always on the table, the otters and dolphins, the sunsets, the salty and tanned skin, the brine and mud, the wonderful nature, and the isolation that can be peaceful and treacherous.
One of my favourite things is the desperate honest need Tom has to be helped, and how finally he gets the will to procure it and be better, and fix himself as best he can.
A road to beauty, joy, hate, love, brutality, violence, love, madness and fantasy. It was a joy and wonder to follow this road through the author’s words, and I can’t wait to read more from him.
P. S.: some may say it has a lot of purple prose but for me it is just poetic and wonderful, able to conjure all the feelings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Rape, Child abuse, Animal death, Racism, Racial slurs, Domestic abuse, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Blood, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Minor: War and Antisemitism
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