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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was just… Woah. I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around this one. There are so many thoughts. This was a wild ride, I’m definitely glad I read this though.
I’ll start and say that this will not be a book for everyone. Sorrorwland is an unapologetically disturbing book that’s beautifully written, it follows a complex storyline. However, it has no clear answers until the end of the book. The summary while it seems descriptive is actually very broad in terms of the full events that occur within these pages.
Sorrowland takes social and political issues primarily regarding race and showcases it in a fictional manner that, while being fictional, isn’t completely far-fetched. Along with the issues highlighted, this book touches on so much more. From sexuality to gender identity to motherhood.
I will say this book is a slow burn. However, I was so captivated by the storyline that this slower pace didn’t bother me too much. I was completely entranced that I knew I wanted to reach the end no matter what. And there were several “what the…” moments that would make me uncomfortable and unnerved. Some scenes were very disturbing and unsettling.
Overall, I think this is a great read and definitely worth pushing through to the end. That being said, as I mentioned, I don’t think this is a book for everyone. Sorrowland is a combination of The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, Maximum Ride by James Patterson, and Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia that pushes the boundaries of what we know with no remorse. This book will make your skin crawl. However, if you’re interested in science fiction and dystopian books that are dark, I definitely recommend trying this one out.
I’ll start and say that this will not be a book for everyone. Sorrorwland is an unapologetically disturbing book that’s beautifully written, it follows a complex storyline. However, it has no clear answers until the end of the book. The summary while it seems descriptive is actually very broad in terms of the full events that occur within these pages.
Sorrowland takes social and political issues primarily regarding race and showcases it in a fictional manner that, while being fictional, isn’t completely far-fetched. Along with the issues highlighted, this book touches on so much more. From sexuality to gender identity to motherhood.
I will say this book is a slow burn. However, I was so captivated by the storyline that this slower pace didn’t bother me too much. I was completely entranced that I knew I wanted to reach the end no matter what. And there were several “what the…” moments that would make me uncomfortable and unnerved. Some scenes were very disturbing and unsettling.
Overall, I think this is a great read and definitely worth pushing through to the end. That being said, as I mentioned, I don’t think this is a book for everyone. Sorrowland is a combination of The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, Maximum Ride by James Patterson, and Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia that pushes the boundaries of what we know with no remorse. This book will make your skin crawl. However, if you’re interested in science fiction and dystopian books that are dark, I definitely recommend trying this one out.
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I picked this up at a used book store on a whim, and I'm very glad I did! Solomon is great at using lush prose to describe the brutal and grotesque. There's certainly a lot of social commentary here, but I never felt that it reached soap-box-levels of proselytizing—just calling it as it is in relation to the narrative at hand. A lot of complex and interesting female and/or queer characters also really fleshed out the piece. The ending felt a bit too fast and abrupt, but I think it served its purpose well enough. Definitely would recommend this!
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Definitely loved the first third most of all. The woods and their life in it was so well written that I could smell and taste it.
Enjoyed the ~spicy~ bits that were neither too much or too little.
The ending was sort of bland though. As initially stated, the first third is the most magical part.
Additionally, since I had already read Rivers Solomon's other novel (the mermaid one), I want to add that this novel is even better than the previous one.
Enjoyed the ~spicy~ bits that were neither too much or too little.
The ending was sort of bland though. As initially stated, the first third is the most magical part.
Additionally, since I had already read Rivers Solomon's other novel (the mermaid one), I want to add that this novel is even better than the previous one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death
dark
There are a lot of ideas in this book. Between the characters, their motivations, and the organizations that influence them, there are a lot of spinning plates to keep in mind.
I like Vern most of the time, because she’s independent and aware of her knowledge, strength, and abilities. I like Bobo for the same reasons. The other characters are a harder to like. They move from important in the moment to non-identities as soon as they’re no longer in the moment.
I found the last quarter of the book difficult. Vern coming into her ultimate self realization was as confusing to me as it is for her. I had no idea what was going on and when the explanation was finally revealed I was still a bit lost.
I like Vern most of the time, because she’s independent and aware of her knowledge, strength, and abilities. I like Bobo for the same reasons. The other characters are a harder to like. They move from important in the moment to non-identities as soon as they’re no longer in the moment.
I found the last quarter of the book difficult. Vern coming into her ultimate self realization was as confusing to me as it is for her. I had no idea what was going on and when the explanation was finally revealed I was still a bit lost.
Will come back to it later
dark
emotional
sad
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I wrote a long review and must’ve not saved it …
I loved the characters in this book. Howling and feral are still in my heart even weeks after reading. I loved the journey I was taken on through growth and finding stability after leaving a cult. The idea for the book I thought was incredibly creative and contemporary. If there’s a sequel or prequel or spin off or anything I’ll definitely be reading it.
I loved the characters in this book. Howling and feral are still in my heart even weeks after reading. I loved the journey I was taken on through growth and finding stability after leaving a cult. The idea for the book I thought was incredibly creative and contemporary. If there’s a sequel or prequel or spin off or anything I’ll definitely be reading it.
2.5/5
just not my cup of tea - i appreciated the message the author was trying to get across but i found it hard to get into. i was hoping it would get a bit more plot-focused as the book progressed but it didn't. some of the scenes were bizarre - especially the sex scenes - and i understood Why they were there but also as i read them i felt perplexed. there were also a few parts in the last third that either left holes in the plot or went over my head. overall i think this is a good book for the right reader but unfortunately it just didn't push through to me completely!!
just not my cup of tea - i appreciated the message the author was trying to get across but i found it hard to get into. i was hoping it would get a bit more plot-focused as the book progressed but it didn't. some of the scenes were bizarre - especially the sex scenes - and i understood Why they were there but also as i read them i felt perplexed. there were also a few parts in the last third that either left holes in the plot or went over my head. overall i think this is a good book for the right reader but unfortunately it just didn't push through to me completely!!