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knkoch's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Hmm. I have very mixed feelings on this one!
One of the downsides to never reading summaries or blurbs is missing key information that might change my reading decisions. I had no idea this was an illustrated novel, and I regret choosing the audiobook version and missing out on that feature. I’m still not very used to audiobooks in general, and there were experimental aspects of form (i.e. repetitive phrases) that irked me more over audio than I think they would have in print. I don’t mind experimentation, but I think I absorb it better visually. So that’s something for me to remember moving forward. On the positive side, I did like that this was narrated by the author.
Of the two narratives, the Hindu mythological retelling ending up interesting me more than the contemporary one. I think the latter’s dysphoria and experiences with (and eventually internalized) homophobia made it harder to connect with. Overall, an interesting experiment that for several reasons didn’t quite land for me most of the time.
One of the downsides to never reading summaries or blurbs is missing key information that might change my reading decisions. I had no idea this was an illustrated novel, and I regret choosing the audiobook version and missing out on that feature. I’m still not very used to audiobooks in general, and there were experimental aspects of form (i.e. repetitive phrases) that irked me more over audio than I think they would have in print. I don’t mind experimentation, but I think I absorb it better visually. So that’s something for me to remember moving forward. On the positive side, I did like that this was narrated by the author.
Of the two narratives, the Hindu mythological retelling ending up interesting me more than the contemporary one. I think the latter’s dysphoria and experiences with (and eventually internalized) homophobia made it harder to connect with. Overall, an interesting experiment that for several reasons didn’t quite land for me most of the time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Homophobia, and Dysphoria
There’s a lot of body dysmorphia present herejjjreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Biphobia, Child death, Dysphoria, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Infidelity, and Eating disorder
Minor: Alcohol
cfell's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia and Homophobia
Moderate: Body shaming, Racism, and Fatphobia
Minor: Mental illness, Violence, and Body horror
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