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submerge's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Body horror
monalyisha's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
I, like others, LOVED what I got.
Despite first impressions, the book bears only a surface resemblance to the 2015 film, The Lobster. I kept thinking, “This is like The Lobster except…” less self-consciously artsy, more intimate, more feminine. Eventually, the “excepts” piled up. The only real similarity is animal transmutation in an otherwise mundane world paired with a philosophical investigation into the nature of love.
I’m genuinely still in awe that this is Habeck’s first novel. It’s hard to write past that but I’ll try. This is the kind of magical realism I’m always craving in my (human, and therefore animal) heart of hearts. The fantastical is accepted; the rest is contemporary fiction. The focus is on the characters: their yearning, their struggles, their joy, their connection with their larger community and with themselves.
If you’re a fan of nature writing, it’s got more than a dawn’s blush of that, too! As long as you don’t mind crying at the beach (just wear big sunglasses and you’ll be golden), I’d definitely recommend tucking this into your bag with your towel and sunblock this summer. It’d also be a great book club choice! Anticipate discussions about partnership, caretaking, & formative childhood experiences. I’m still ruminating on the “why” behind so many details…
As an aside, if I didn’t already hate tuna fish, I certainly would now.
Moderate: Domestic abuse
cassiealexandra's review
5.0
See my review on the hardcover for more thoughts.
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Violence, Domestic abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
heshanks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Excellent use of silence/blank space
I often get tired of format swapping, but this moves between narrative prose and play scenes and does it to *fantastic* effect.
Main characters encounter peril but do not perish.
Weird premise, beautifully told.
Graphic: Terminal illness, Pregnancy, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Abortion, Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Dementia, Medical content, Body horror, and Death of parent
hocuscrocus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Unfortunately, the book lost me in part 2. It's a lovely story, but it felt like too far a meander from the gut punch that was part one. If it were up to me, I would have had just the first part, about half of the third part, and the epilogue.
All that said, I whipped through this book like wildfire.
Graphic: Blood, Dementia, Violence, Chronic illness, Medical content, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Animal death, Death, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Abortion and Infertility
tetrootz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Body horror, Blood, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Medical trauma, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Death, Confinement, Chronic illness, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Drug use
Minor: Miscarriage, Abortion, Infertility, Infidelity, Alcohol, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Alcoholism
emilyelysesmith's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse
ekgraham's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Abortion
kelshenka's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
hanhodge's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Moderate: Domestic abuse