Reviews

Sterling Karat Gold by Isabel Waidner

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jamorley's review

3.0

It was wonderful to read a novel that centered trans poc characters, and the sharp energy and inventive, vibrant world created by Waidner was, for the most part, a thrill to read. However, for me, the story sat in an uncanny valley between convention and experimentation. The slippery dream logic often strayed towards deus ex machina, which, along with the chaotic pacing, gave the feeling that the narrative was being supplied off the cuff—like the entirety of the novel comprised Cataclysmic Tabloid #43.

angeliqueazul's review

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challenging dark funny hopeful medium-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? No

4.0

geoatrophy's review

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challenging funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

ainepalmtree's review

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the science fiction love child of Kafka and Shola von Reinhold

charlma's review

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adventurous challenging funny mysterious medium-paced

Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

pearloz's review

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This is my third Waidner book and I still don't get it. It reads like gibberish to me. Well-written gibberish, but gibberish all the same. Look, I'm all for experimentation in literature, form, format, writing. But I just can't get into Waidner's writing. It's seemed beyond "experimentation for experiments' sake." It reads like a tedious fever dream where, of course, logic has no hold. "...and then there's a spaceship!" Space ships, time travel, bullfights in the middle of the street, all sound cool, but here came across as a slapdash exercise. It really tests my resolve to find meaning in the obscurity of it all; any meaning or metaphor I would see here, I feel I would be shoe-horning it in, forcing it in rather than reveling in its revelation. It's just too exhausting for me to derive any joy from the thing.

I admit, however, that was I really enamored with the references to the Beach Boys and some of their albums, Friends and Smiley Smile! in particular.

No rating.