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nutfreenerd's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Murder, Vomit, Suicide, Gun violence, Gore, and Fire/Fire injury
grubrednuf's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was good, great character introspection and development. Even if one of the characters I find most annoying ends up playing a larger role than first suggested. And the third act does pick up the pace significantly. But also maybe... This is just Macbeth and maybe a little Hamlet.
Rosie = Rosencrantz
Lady Jill = Lady Macbeth
Etc etc etc
Rosie = Rosencrantz
Lady Jill = Lady Macbeth
Etc etc etc
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Drug use, Blood, Bullying, Animal death, and Gaslighting
Minor: Murder, Colonisation, and Sexual content
bookmaddie's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Catton remains an exceedingly clever and talented writer—Birnam Wood definitely lives up to the hype (both online and in my own heart, since I loved The Luminaries). One of the things I love about Catton's writing is how deeply it explores the interiority of her character's minds. You feel at once that you know their deepest thoughts, and yet there is always something unknowable about each character, creating a continuously new reading experience as the story winds on.
Of course, I would be remiss not to mention the last third of the book. Dang! It flies by and you'll be hooked the moment the twist happens, trying to figure out what will happen next, or just happily along for the ride (I was the latter). Even as the intensity ratchets up, Catton's writing remains unflinching and it's a delight to see how the pieces all rush together. The ending is exceedingly dark and ambiguous—Catton shines a light on all parties, making it impossible to place blame on just one individual or group.
Full of fascinating, annoying and despicable characters, this story wonders at our modern life and the ethical, political battles argued over online and in groups of friends. Catton is a masterful satirist and puppeteer, and biting observer of our present day. I cannot wait for whatever she dreams up next, and in the meantime, I'll go back and read her debut novel. Thanks to FSG for my advanced digital copy!
Of course, I would be remiss not to mention the last third of the book. Dang! It flies by and you'll be hooked the moment the twist happens, trying to figure out what will happen next, or just happily along for the ride (I was the latter). Even as the intensity ratchets up, Catton's writing remains unflinching and it's a delight to see how the pieces all rush together. The ending is exceedingly dark and ambiguous—Catton shines a light on all parties, making it impossible to place blame on just one individual or group.
Full of fascinating, annoying and despicable characters, this story wonders at our modern life and the ethical, political battles argued over online and in groups of friends. Catton is a masterful satirist and puppeteer, and biting observer of our present day. I cannot wait for whatever she dreams up next, and in the meantime, I'll go back and read her debut novel. Thanks to FSG for my advanced digital copy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Vomit
sshabein's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
In some ways, this book is the spiritual successor to Catton's previous novel, The Luminaries — nefarious businessmen, money to be made off elements in the ground, and the consequences of entangling yourself with the sort of person who sees you as a means to an end. However, Birnam Wood is definitely not the same book, moving us to the modern day fictional area of Thorndike, New Zealand. There are young idealists, gardeners who just want to save the world a little a time, and the willful ignorance of the always upwardly-grasping rich (and the ultra-rich taking advantage of them all). Everyone is compromised in their own way, despite their posturing and efforts to appear otherwise. You definitely won't like everyone here, but that's not the point.
If I had any complaints, the semi-abrupt ending left me with a few questions, but I also see what Catton was doing with it. When pressed against the wall, when you only have what is in front of you to work with, all your speeches and myth-making no longer matter. With the time remaining, what are you able to DO?
If I had any complaints, the semi-abrupt ending left me with a few questions, but I also see what Catton was doing with it. When pressed against the wall, when you only have what is in front of you to work with, all your speeches and myth-making no longer matter. With the time remaining, what are you able to DO?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Gun violence, and Violence
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