Reviews

Garden of Earthly Bodies by Sally Oliver

guarinous's review

2.0

Garden of Earthly Bodies tries very hard to be an intellectual fever dream but falls far short and ends up being too scattershot to hold attention for an elongated period of time. While the exploration of grief through a sci-fi / horror lense was an interesting idea, the gory narrative and over the top, unrealistic characters ended up taking me out of the story too often to get fully invested.

**I was given a copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to ABRAMS, The Overlook Press and Netgalley**

bobthebookerer's review against another edition

4.0

This book is an interesting look at mental health and shifting realities, with the main character and her sister both experiencing various episodes of ill health, both physically and mentally.

And for our main character, the build up of this- covering grief, breakdowns and work stress- starts to manifest in her body, with black hairs starting to grow from her back. These start off small but grow and grow until it feels like a chore for her. As this happens, her sense of reality starts to blur, and this book delves into some deep and difficult territory, which the author handles sensitively, allowing us to go down into the depths with her.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

jmxf's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

kaidubin's review

tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

nadiamg_reads's review against another edition

1.0

I just found the book so…unnecessary. Maybe it’s because I did the audio version, but giving the sisters similar names was confusing and frustrating. I often couldn’t remember which was which. I also found the timeline jumps confusing.

Overall, this book did nothing for me.

jart's review

3.0

slow buildup, and i wasn’t a fan of the story really. i think other people would enjoy it

ignorantplebeian's review

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

ayeprile's review

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

kape18's review

challenging dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.25

The most boring book I’ve ever read tbh 

blind_lawyer's review

Didn't care about protagonist or her stupid dead sister lol

Also, her description of sex with her boyfriend in the first chapter was disgusting.

Book wasn't for me.