Reviews

The Gilda Stories by Jewelle Gomez

stephaniedoke's review against another edition

adventurous reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

roribecker's review against another edition

adventurous reflective 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? No

4.0

chelsea17's review against another edition

Sadly, boring. The fact that they are vampires hardly comes up for the first 30% of the book. The author seemed to have an issue with “show don’t tell.” Things started to become predictable. 

lsparrow's review against another edition

5.0

This was my first read of this classic - and I feel that it is a story that can be read over and over.
Written before the current popularity in vampire stories - it makes it's own rules for the genre.
Most obviously to centre the story around the stories of queer women of colour - although that is just the icing on the cake.
There are many things that this story is and is about - for me in this read through I connected to the themes of roots/rootlessness, home and personal identity.

rosekent's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

crispypages's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful slow-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? No

3.5

A Black lesbian vampire makes a life for herself across centuries of American history. Stretching from pre-civil war south to 2050, the book offers a narrative of an empowered, resilient Black woman. She lives by a strong moral code and is loyal to those she loves. A book about finding a home in community.

bookswithmaddi's review against another edition

3.0

{ 3 stars }

For so many this is completely understandably a 5 star book. It is powerful and incredible but I am struggling with it. I am going to think more about it and then come back when I can more thoroughly articulate my thoughts.
(I read this for my Gender and Sexuality in Literature class)

madefrommemories's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

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

5.0

anxiousfrog's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

doomluz's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I loved this until the last 2 chapters set in 2020 and 2050. They were ok, but I preferred the ones set in the past and seeing how Gilda lived in those different times and places.
I loved the vampire society that Gomez created and how she uses some of the tropes.