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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I really wanted to like this book. The themes around the lexicographer and the secret language (so fun!) were really interesting, as was the exploration of dementia and ageing and the mother-daughter relationship. I would have loved to see these explored further.
I enjoyed the houseboat setting and contrasting it with the sections that took place in houses. I would have loved to hear more about it as it would be a very fun and visual element.
Unfortunately, to me, all of this got lost in the prose, which felt weird and murky and like it was trying too hard to be mysterious.
I enjoyed the houseboat setting and contrasting it with the sections that took place in houses. I would have loved to hear more about it as it would be a very fun and visual element.
Unfortunately, to me, all of this got lost in the prose, which felt weird and murky and like it was trying too hard to be mysterious.
Tengo un montón de sentimientos encontrados respecto a esta lectura. Por un lado puedo ver la maestría y brillantez con la que Daisy Johnson escribe y describe y nos arrastra en su historia, nos da los detalles justos en los momentos justos, la trama y personajes se van desenredando poco a poco y es ahí donde considero que su escritura se luce más, en decir y transmitir tanto con tan poco. Me ha tenido muy tensa, casi nerviosa, completamente metida en la narración.
Sin embargo tengo un pero —un pero muy grande, a decir verdad— y es que la historia en sí no me ha gustado apenas; es más, se me ha hecho desagradable, grotesca y exageradísima. Me ha parecido que quería meter tantas subtramas, explorar tantos temas, tantos sentimientos diferentes y complejos, que al final cuando se desvela la imagen completa todo lo que veo es un lío tremendo.
Sin embargo tengo un pero —un pero muy grande, a decir verdad— y es que la historia en sí no me ha gustado apenas; es más, se me ha hecho desagradable, grotesca y exageradísima. Me ha parecido que quería meter tantas subtramas, explorar tantos temas, tantos sentimientos diferentes y complejos, que al final cuando se desvela la imagen completa todo lo que veo es un lío tremendo.
slow-paced
really weird book. maybe not quite four stars but the exploration of the mother/daughter relationship and dementia were so so five stars, so uniquely done and hard-hitting, the rest i could take or leave.
incredible, one of the most unique and excellently crafted books i’ve read in a while. i’m so glad i reread the first half, i was better able to enjoy johnson’s writing and the craftsmanship going on. brilliant story, so strange and dark and muddy i loved it.
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The author tries to write a book similar to Sophocles of Ancient Greece and partially succeeds: IT IS TRAGIC!
I understand that the emerging LGBTQ+ culture (many of whom are avid readers) is looking for artful ways of expression, but the presence of trans people is not enough to give depth to the book. It should also be well written (it's not).
Spoiler alert: A mother fokking her daughter (with a 90% chance of knowing she is her daughter) does not make (any book) a masterpiece.
All in all it is sometimes interesting, most of it boring, often annoying and in the end you are left with the feeling that you have been deceived to waste time to read it.
I understand that the emerging LGBTQ+ culture (many of whom are avid readers) is looking for artful ways of expression, but the presence of trans people is not enough to give depth to the book. It should also be well written (it's not).
Spoiler alert: A mother fokking her daughter (with a 90% chance of knowing she is her daughter) does not make (any book) a masterpiece.
All in all it is sometimes interesting, most of it boring, often annoying and in the end you are left with the feeling that you have been deceived to waste time to read it.
This is long and rambling and confusing. There are no speech marks. For a 21st century book, the paragraph length is ridiculous.
Perfect booker book then...
Perfect booker book then...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I genuinely don’t have the words but I feel like my stomach’s been curb stomped.