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rereader33's review against another edition
2.0
You know what? I have absolutely zero interest in writing a coherent, in-depth review about this novel. Which is a shame, because I was pretty invested until about the halfway mark and then I mentally checked out. In lieu of a proper review, here are some bullet points that sum up my feelings as best as my lazy ass can. Enjoy.
-The writing was probably the best aspect of this story. It was engaging if not melodramatic and ridiculous at times, but I liked it.
-While I initially sympathized with Finn and Sean, eventually I got tired of these two not using their big boy words and stopped giving a fuck. There's only so much miscommunication I can tolerate before I want to smack fictional characters for being stupid.
-Petey started off strong and then decided to Google diagnose the guy she likes and somehow make his diagnosis about her. Wow. I hesitate to say this is realistic for a teenager because I think most teenagers would be more sympathetic and less self-centered than her.
-A kid comes out as gay in the very last chapter and I'm supposed to be okay with that and consider LGTQAI rep? Yeah, no.
-A kid's medical condition is not only used as a plot device but is also a plot reveal. *sighs* we're never going to get away from this, are we?
-The Scare Crow or whatever the fuck the villain's called was so stereotypically shallow and creepy that I couldn't take him seriously. He's literally just a creepy, perverted man who only cares about a woman's beauty. Riveting.
-A woman has to physically harm/disfigure herself in order to escape the villain and is totally okay with her newly disfigured body. I sure as hell hope I'm not supposed to consider this feminist because I personally find it fucking obnoxious and only existing to serve the message.
-Speaking of messages, the beauty is dangerous for a woman message would not let it up and got really fucking obnoxious after awhile. We GET it, beautiful women get hit on and accosted by disgusting, perverted men, CAN WE PLEASE MOVE ON?!
-Also, most of the men presented in this story are either a). perverted, misogynistic creeps, b) fucking useless, or c) Sean and Finn. Cuz we can't have a pseudo-feminist novel revolving around beauty without most men being the scum of the earth, am I right?!
That's about all I have to say. If you want to read this, fine, but I would be hesitant to recommend this to someone over other magical realism stories.
-The writing was probably the best aspect of this story. It was engaging if not melodramatic and ridiculous at times, but I liked it.
-While I initially sympathized with Finn and Sean, eventually I got tired of these two not using their big boy words and stopped giving a fuck. There's only so much miscommunication I can tolerate before I want to smack fictional characters for being stupid.
-Petey started off strong and then decided to Google diagnose the guy she likes and somehow make his diagnosis about her. Wow. I hesitate to say this is realistic for a teenager because I think most teenagers would be more sympathetic and less self-centered than her.
-A kid comes out as gay in the very last chapter and I'm supposed to be okay with that and consider LGTQAI rep? Yeah, no.
-A kid's medical condition is not only used as a plot device but is also a plot reveal. *sighs* we're never going to get away from this, are we?
-The Scare Crow or whatever the fuck the villain's called was so stereotypically shallow and creepy that I couldn't take him seriously. He's literally just a creepy, perverted man who only cares about a woman's beauty. Riveting.
-A woman has to physically harm/disfigure herself in order to escape the villain and is totally okay with her newly disfigured body. I sure as hell hope I'm not supposed to consider this feminist because I personally find it fucking obnoxious and only existing to serve the message.
-Speaking of messages, the beauty is dangerous for a woman message would not let it up and got really fucking obnoxious after awhile. We GET it, beautiful women get hit on and accosted by disgusting, perverted men, CAN WE PLEASE MOVE ON?!
-Also, most of the men presented in this story are either a). perverted, misogynistic creeps, b) fucking useless, or c) Sean and Finn. Cuz we can't have a pseudo-feminist novel revolving around beauty without most men being the scum of the earth, am I right?!
That's about all I have to say. If you want to read this, fine, but I would be hesitant to recommend this to someone over other magical realism stories.
heather1999's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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
1.5
bekah_divall's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. The entire time I read it I was on the edge of my seat, always asking questions in my head about what was going to happen next. This book does have romance so be aware!
katieinca's review
4.0
It turns out the first 20% of this book does a really great job of NOT telling you what kind of book it's going to be by the last 20%. I could see how that would turn people off, but I found it delightful. Some good characters, and I really enjoyed was the portrayal of the small town - it's critical, but also affectionate.
Also, a very memorable portrayal of corn.
Also, a very memorable portrayal of corn.
meanbeanreads's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This was a case of right book, right time. It struck an emotional chord with me, hence the five stars.
teeggzz's review
5.0
Absolutely stunning!! So rich, and raw, and powerful. I had so many feelings ugh. The author expertly wove so many different messages and hidden meanings into this novel, a true gem.
chuskeyreads's review
5.0
"The nice part about living in a small town is that when you don't know what you're doing, someone else does."
If you write it, readers will come.
It's hard to put into words just how amazing this book is.
Essentially, the story revolves around a Polish girl named Roza who is kidnapped by a faceless man from the rural town of Bone Gap.
Such a simple story, but I was sucked into this world and mesmerized by the characters, the mystery, and the corn field (a bit of the magical realism from the movie Field of Dreams).
I suppose what I enjoyed most was the brilliant retelling of the Persephone myth - references to the River Styx, hell hounds, the beginning of fall when Roza returns home, and even the one-liners from The Odyssey:
"Dawn was spreading her rosy fingers in the sky..."
If you write it, readers will come.
It's hard to put into words just how amazing this book is.
Essentially, the story revolves around a Polish girl named Roza who is kidnapped by a faceless man from the rural town of Bone Gap.
Such a simple story, but I was sucked into this world and mesmerized by the characters, the mystery, and the corn field (a bit of the magical realism from the movie Field of Dreams).
I suppose what I enjoyed most was the brilliant retelling of the Persephone myth - references to the River Styx, hell hounds, the beginning of fall when Roza returns home, and even the one-liners from The Odyssey:
"Dawn was spreading her rosy fingers in the sky..."
juanitad15's review against another edition
5.0
The writing for this book is very fitting because it creates an atmosphere that accompanies the strange elements of the story beautifully. It took me a minute to get through this book, because it takes a while for it to draw you in, but once the characters become a little bit more developed and the author incorporates more mystery, draw you in it does. I love the way the town of Bone Gap is created as well as many of the characters.
I do realize, however, that this book isn't going to be for everyone.
This is a wonderful example of good magical realism, and is one of my favorite books.
I do realize, however, that this book isn't going to be for everyone.
This is a wonderful example of good magical realism, and is one of my favorite books.