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serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Scary Monsters is two stories in one and they can be read in either order. I had this on audio and simply listened in the order presented. The first story featured Lili, an Asian-Australian who in the 1980s is teaching in France. She sometimes fears for her safety, has issues with her downstairs neighbour, and is well aware of the killings of young women around the world. She also notes the attitudes towards and treatment of North African migrants in France and connects those to her experiences being Asian in Australia. Lyle is also an Asian migrant to Australia. His story is set in a very believable near future, one where the government is obsessed with “Australian values”, assimilation is crucial for migrants, Islam is banned, and the effects of climate change are clear. We watch Lyle dealing with his feelings of vulnerability in the political and social environment, alongside dealing with issues connected to other members of his family.
I enjoyed each of these stories separately, Lyle’s more so than Lili’s. I loved the title Scary Monsters, especially as the themes of racism, sexism and ageism played out against it. While few readers would have trouble considering the serial killers in Lili’s story to be “scary monsters”, most would struggle applying that title to themselves or those they know, ordinary people who “aren’t really racist/sexist/ageist” but in reality are to at least some degree. Lyle’s story all too clearly highlights what could happen if we don’t deal with those and other “scary monsters” in our midst, and let them gain control. The two stories definitely were definitely in conversation with each other even if together they don’t necessarily conform to traditional expectations regarding a novel. They did deliver a satisfying, thought provoking read and that is what mattered to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Islamophobia, and Misogyny
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
aseel_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
a genius novel, i loved the premise of two interwinning stories, one set in the past and one set in the future. my sister wrote an essay for her uni english class, so i know all about the themes of the stories. really impactful for something so short.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Islamophobia, Murder, Xenophobia, Stalking, Death, Alcohol, Racial slurs, Racism, Ableism, and Death of parent
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