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moirakoskey's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
chelseamguy's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. Even the ending, which I usually hate in most books, but this, too me was perfection. Everything I love in a book even down to (ridiculously) the feel of the cover. I love the layers of story telling, the ideas and language, the interplay of characters, big questions, emotions, sorting yourself and others out, it just was amazingly done in my eyes. I could see others not getting into it but I ate it up.
sydneyyylove's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved this book. The depictions of love and abuse were nuanced and gripping. I don’t really understand how anthropology worked back then, so I was mostly focused on the relationship between the three main characters. I loved the discussion of objectivity in science and the different ways people approach work and writing. My heart was BROKEN at the end of the book.
natalierasmussen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
kjordan96's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is one of those books I am having a really hard time rating. The premise of the story had great potential - three anthropologists in the 1930s who fall into a love triangle. I enjoyed the discussion of culture, what makes us human, and how our relationships develop, especially within the context of conversations between Nell and Andrew. Nell wrote in one of her letters of searching for freedom in her work, looking for a people who gave each other the room to be in whatever way they needed to be. I loved that line and how it tied into her character. However, I did not necessarily love how the love triangle developed in the story. It was not as much a center of the plot as I thought and felt it could have had more depth. I despised Fen’s character as I think you are suppose to. I was not a fan of the end, though I did like the emotion when Andrew visits the museum in the last chapter. This is one of those books I’d probably change my rating on depending on when you asked me about it. Overall worth reading though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Domestic abuse
sarahfischer's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
what an interesting read! to me, this book would be a far superior “required reading” to take the place of heart of darkness. similar themes of looking at native people versus colonizers and digging deep into the question of humanity, but much more self aware and far less racist. a super engaging read.
bennettabaylee's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
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
4.5
rochelles_reading_journal's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
annadixon76's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jr2234's review against another edition
5.0
I finished this book months ago and it’s stuck with me since. The prose is gorgeous and I still well up with emotion in all the best ways when I think of the conclusion. One of my favorite last lines of any novel I’ve ever read.