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ixris's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Short. Finished in one day, but the dialogue is not set off my punctuation and all runs in the same paragraph as narrative text so it is important to pay attention to how the sentences are structured.
A 17 year old girl and her parents attend an experimental anthropology course for the summer. Things happen.
A 17 year old girl and her parents attend an experimental anthropology course for the summer. Things happen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Animal death, Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Sexism, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Lesbophobia
Minor: Vomit
devikapha's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexism
allisonmeyette's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I think this is a book I will have to read again and again. Stunning writing, and over too quickly. The pace of the book is very slow up until the last 15-20 pages. It's one of those books where if you read it too quickly and don't digest it as you go, you don't get everything out of it (which is what I'm afraid I did). It's also quite creepy while really immersing you in the world that the Professor is trying to create. Please see content warnings too, as there are a LOT of possibly triggering themes in the book and may not be for everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Animal cruelty, Violence, Bullying, Animal death, and Child abuse
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Misogyny, Murder, and Physical abuse
Minor: Cancer, War, Classism, and Vomit
greenwillow77's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Sarah Moss is particularly concerned with how the echoes of the past are heard in the now, & this book is an excellent illustration of how she goes about making that into a compelling story. Creating a creeping sense of unease & ratcheting tension that wouldn’t be out of place in an Ari Aster film, the story of Sil & the experimental archeology project rattles along at a brisk lick, simmering in the summer heat & Sil’s father’s temper.
There is plenty to unpack in this book- class, education, gender roles, family, teenage anxiety, the power structures of abuse- & it crams in to a story told in under 150 pages. I wouldn’t say that I enjoyed this book, but it did compel me to finish & it will stay with me for a while yet.
There is plenty to unpack in this book- class, education, gender roles, family, teenage anxiety, the power structures of abuse- & it crams in to a story told in under 150 pages. I wouldn’t say that I enjoyed this book, but it did compel me to finish & it will stay with me for a while yet.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Physical abuse, Animal death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, and Classism
readersreadingnook's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Adult/minor relationship
exuberantlybuds's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
My only hang-up about this book is that the blurb made it seem like there would be some kind of supernatural element, which didn't end up being true. At least I'd expected that the descent into the climax would have been a bit more gradual; as it is right now, it feels like the ghost wall doesn't have that much to do with what ends up happening.
Either way, brilliant little book! Still thoroughly enjoyed it for the writing and the tense air throughout.
Have seen some people mention that the stream of consciousness writing bothered them with there being no dialogue tags. I listenened to the audiobook and didn't have this problem at all, so can recommend to people doubting whether to read because of that.
Either way, brilliant little book! Still thoroughly enjoyed it for the writing and the tense air throughout.
Have seen some people mention that the stream of consciousness writing bothered them with there being no dialogue tags. I listenened to the audiobook and didn't have this problem at all, so can recommend to people doubting whether to read because of that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
sleaterkenneth's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Like the Stanford prison experiment meets Midsommar
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Torture and Animal death
odrib's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Physical abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Sexism, Misogyny, and Animal death
Minor: Racism and Body shaming
brucethegirl's review against another edition
In the early 90s, a young woman's father signs the family up for a university on site experience living as neolithic Britons. A time when "men were men and women did as they were told" a time "before any dark skin ever entered the island" and a time Sylvie's dad idolizes as the epitome of living, when he held control due to being the man. But also present are university students, who open Sylvie to the tangible possibility of a life outside her father's violent control.
What I think I loved most about this book, as an Anthropology student, was the way even the professor ignored the blatant evidence in favor of "roughing it" with a fellow ancient briton enthusiast. While a number of times, he explains to the father that "well no, they wouldn't have eaten with their hands, that just doesn't make sense." He also is more than happy to let her father dictate what the camp does and focus solely on hunting and discussing fighting.To the point that at the end, he is an active participant in the torture of Sylvie, a minor. He ignores the obvious- that Sylvie had no choice about her participation, that Sylvie and her mother are beaten, that he should be acting more authoritative over the course attendees all in favor of having a good time and "maybe I'll write a paper about this" Including taking photos of Sylvie- again a teenager- as she is stripped, dehumanized, and humiliated. It was such a scathing depiction of scholarship and academia. And I think it's something that's lost to the other more sensational and overpowering themes. But I think that's exactly it- people ignore the issues within academia because "but they're smart. They are educated!" and don't think that the problems of classism, sexism, racism, can permeate the hollowed halls of upper education- when really that's where they are shored up and allowed to run rampant. The professor is a prime example of this, allowing Sylvie's father to run roughshod over the entire course because he's an armchair archaeologist and allows the professor to indulge in his fun.
Then there are the more obvious- the theme of abuse and sexism. How Sylvie's father believes if he goes far enough back in British history, he'll reach a time of purity. He is a cruel, hateful, small man. The way the book handles the theme of abuse of power is so well done. I get angry just thinking about it. But I also remember how powerless I felt while reading. Moss really captures that helpless, overwhelming fear so well. She is able to light that fire so subtle that you don't notice until it's burned as bright as a forest fire in your soul. You hate this little man and how he uses his strength not to protect what he cares about- but to make sure they remember he is strong. He feels weak in other areas of his life and needs the people in his life to remind him he's strong. He is what evil incarnate means. Not just for his closed minded beliefs, but because he takes joy in the pain and suffering of his child and his wife. He is glad when Sylvie can't sit down because of the wounds he inflicted on her. He is happy when his family is hungry. He literally makes me so angry.
Which brings me to my only issue with this book- the end. It just cuts off. There's no resolution- and I know its because this is the early 90s and at the end of the day, its very likely no justice would have been served. A time when abuse "within reason" was still allowed from both parents and schools. Even if the nature of the crime, and photo evidence, were well beyond reasonable, especially as there was no "just cause" for the abuse. I like to believe he served jail time, but that also leaves the question of where Sylvie will go. Where will she stay? Very likely her mother won't allow her home. Too warped by the father. I hope she stays with Molly, and is able to see the world.
What I think I loved most about this book, as an Anthropology student, was the way even the professor ignored the blatant evidence in favor of "roughing it" with a fellow ancient briton enthusiast. While a number of times, he explains to the father that "well no, they wouldn't have eaten with their hands, that just doesn't make sense." He also is more than happy to let her father dictate what the camp does and focus solely on hunting and discussing fighting.
Then there are the more obvious- the theme of abuse and sexism. How Sylvie's father believes if he goes far enough back in British history, he'll reach a time of purity. He is a cruel, hateful, small man. The way the book handles the theme of abuse of power is so well done. I get angry just thinking about it. But I also remember how powerless I felt while reading. Moss really captures that helpless, overwhelming fear so well. She is able to light that fire so subtle that you don't notice until it's burned as bright as a forest fire in your soul. You hate this little man and how he uses his strength not to protect what he cares about- but to make sure they remember he is strong. He feels weak in other areas of his life and needs the people in his life to remind him he's strong. He is what evil incarnate means. Not just for his closed minded beliefs, but because he takes joy in the pain and suffering of his child and his wife. He is glad when Sylvie can't sit down because of the wounds he inflicted on her. He is happy when his family is hungry. He literally makes me so angry.
Which brings me to my only issue with this book- the end. It just cuts off. There's no resolution- and I know its because this is the early 90s and at the end of the day, its very likely no justice would have been served. A time when abuse "within reason" was still allowed from both parents and schools. Even if the nature of the crime, and photo evidence, were well beyond reasonable, especially as there was no "just cause" for the abuse. I like to believe he served jail time, but that also leaves the question of where Sylvie will go. Where will she stay? Very likely her mother won't allow her home. Too warped by the father. I hope she stays with Molly, and is able to see the world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Animal death, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, and Xenophobia
pyronautphea's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Violence, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Animal death, Misogyny, Sexism, and Racism
Minor: Blood