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unhinged_female_protagonist's review
2.0
This book was ok. I was so into it after first, but then struggled to finish. What compelled me to finish was Zhenia’s story. But the great-grandmother’s story eventually felt like a slog. So much potential here but it just didn’t keep me captivated.
allykonkol19's review
challenging
dark
emotional
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
3.75
trashely's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
mariyakeeka's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was a really interesting read and one I enjoyed a lot. The main character isn't particularly likeable and yet it's still such a compulsive read.
Zhenia, the main character, has essentially drifted through life without ever being fully present. Many of her major decisions were made for her and she simply internalized them as her own. She's short-sighted and selfish and occasionally has these bursts of major emotions that make it clear that she is within herself and that she has the capacity to live in fullness. She was particularly close with her grandmother, Vera, who had asked Zhenia to stay away as she descended into illness.
The plot comes in when Paul, a medium, reaches out to her to tell her the story of her great-grandmother—a ghost who's found him. What's especially interesting is the approach taken with identity and how this great-grandmother, Irina, was one person who had to essentially take on a new persona to be able to continue to live, but they're different people. I won't go into too much detail about what that means for the book but it was a great exploration of the decisions we make and the lives we live. Irina wishes to tell her story so that she may be at peace. Paul is treated as a conduit and neither Irina or Zhenia realize or care for the strain that they're putting on him as they strive to fulfill their truths.
This book explores the trauma and grief we pass between generations, how one's own upbringing colours their future life, and so on. Mirrors are a bit of a theme and there's something so amazing about the way Apekina twines this reflection into the story itself and you start to see the similarities between Irina and Zhenia, through their lives, opinions and decisions.
Overall, this was a book that I was still thinking about days later as my mind started filling in the themes and reflections with time.
Zhenia, the main character, has essentially drifted through life without ever being fully present. Many of her major decisions were made for her and she simply internalized them as her own. She's short-sighted and selfish and occasionally has these bursts of major emotions that make it clear that she is within herself and that she has the capacity to live in fullness. She was particularly close with her grandmother, Vera, who had asked Zhenia to stay away as she descended into illness.
The plot comes in when Paul, a medium, reaches out to her to tell her the story of her great-grandmother—a ghost who's found him. What's especially interesting is the approach taken with identity and how this great-grandmother, Irina, was one person who had to essentially take on a new persona to be able to continue to live, but they're different people. I won't go into too much detail about what that means for the book but it was a great exploration of the decisions we make and the lives we live. Irina wishes to tell her story so that she may be at peace. Paul is treated as a conduit and neither Irina or Zhenia realize or care for the strain that they're putting on him as they strive to fulfill their truths.
This book explores the trauma and grief we pass between generations, how one's own upbringing colours their future life, and so on. Mirrors are a bit of a theme and there's something so amazing about the way Apekina twines this reflection into the story itself and you start to see the similarities between Irina and Zhenia, through their lives, opinions and decisions.
Overall, this was a book that I was still thinking about days later as my mind started filling in the themes and reflections with time.
mariellepezz's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
natalegend's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
benita's review
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Loved the writing. Loved the Russian ancestor ghost story. Hated the main modern character.
gwenc0423's review
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25