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kendallbehr's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Abortion
hannahshort's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
An astonishing debut, and quite unlike anything I've ever read before. Parts of this novel blew me away, and I've found it hard to rate it. Would have given it 5 stars, had I not found the cancer narrative confusing and disorientating at times (although perhaps this is intentional?). May need to read again. I won't forget this book, and will look forward to reading more from the author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Cancer, Death of parent, and Sexual content
your_true_shelf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Moderate: Self harm
fjcookie's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
if I could give this book 6 stars, I would. if I could inject this book into my bloodstream, I would. if I ever write anything a quarter as good as this book, I would be happy. unbelievable. the best of the best.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Cancer, Sexual content, and Adult/minor relationship
deedireads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/.
TL;DR REVIEW:
Maps of Our Spectacular Bodies is an unconventional, heartbreaking, extremely beautiful book about a woman dying of cancer. It’s part poetry, part narrative, and unlike anything else.
For you if: You like books that play with language in unique ways, and you don’t mind feeling a little bit unmoored in the story as you read.
FULL REVIEW:
Maps of Our Spectacular Bodies was longlisted for the 2022 Booker Prize. I’m so glad it was, because otherwise I would probably never have picked it up — and it was both heartbreaking and incredibly beautiful. In fact, I’m shocked this didn’t make the shortlist.
Part poetry, part narrative, this book is super unconventional. It’s about a woman named Lia, who has cancer. It alternates between sections that feel more traditional, in which we get Lia’s story (both her present-day relationship with her husband and fierce daughter, and her heavy past), and those that are told (abstractly) from the POV of what most people interpret as her cancer itself.
If you love books that play with language in creative ways — including poetic, unconventional typesetting — you will love this book. On the other hand, if you’re uncomfortable feeling a little bit unmoored inside a story, you may not. If you stop to try to interpret or “understand” every paragraph, you’ll quickly become frustrated. Because so much reads like poetry, you have to let yourself sink in and be swept away, trusting Mortimer to carry you out the other side (she will). I listened along as I read in print (do NOT skip the print copy, I beg you), and that approach really helped me do it.
Mortimer wrote this book in tribute to her mother who died of cancer, and the rendering is exquisite. The slight dizziness of the reading experience interprets the experience of having a loved one (or self) with a terminal illness, the foreignness and familiarity of the body, the inescapable momentum of it all. Where is the line between self and body, trauma and invasion? Perhaps there is none.
There is a lot more I could say — about Iris, Lia’s daughter, and how expertly she was written. About Lia’s difficult mother, or upbringing in religion, or relationship with her sexuality. About the complicated kind of abuse and toxicity that shaped her life. But I’m running out of space! So please, do yourself a favor and read this book.
TL;DR REVIEW:
Maps of Our Spectacular Bodies is an unconventional, heartbreaking, extremely beautiful book about a woman dying of cancer. It’s part poetry, part narrative, and unlike anything else.
For you if: You like books that play with language in unique ways, and you don’t mind feeling a little bit unmoored in the story as you read.
FULL REVIEW:
Maps of Our Spectacular Bodies was longlisted for the 2022 Booker Prize. I’m so glad it was, because otherwise I would probably never have picked it up — and it was both heartbreaking and incredibly beautiful. In fact, I’m shocked this didn’t make the shortlist.
Part poetry, part narrative, this book is super unconventional. It’s about a woman named Lia, who has cancer. It alternates between sections that feel more traditional, in which we get Lia’s story (both her present-day relationship with her husband and fierce daughter, and her heavy past), and those that are told (abstractly) from the POV of what most people interpret as her cancer itself.
If you love books that play with language in creative ways — including poetic, unconventional typesetting — you will love this book. On the other hand, if you’re uncomfortable feeling a little bit unmoored inside a story, you may not. If you stop to try to interpret or “understand” every paragraph, you’ll quickly become frustrated. Because so much reads like poetry, you have to let yourself sink in and be swept away, trusting Mortimer to carry you out the other side (she will). I listened along as I read in print (do NOT skip the print copy, I beg you), and that approach really helped me do it.
Mortimer wrote this book in tribute to her mother who died of cancer, and the rendering is exquisite. The slight dizziness of the reading experience interprets the experience of having a loved one (or self) with a terminal illness, the foreignness and familiarity of the body, the inescapable momentum of it all. Where is the line between self and body, trauma and invasion? Perhaps there is none.
There is a lot more I could say — about Iris, Lia’s daughter, and how expertly she was written. About Lia’s difficult mother, or upbringing in religion, or relationship with her sexuality. About the complicated kind of abuse and toxicity that shaped her life. But I’m running out of space! So please, do yourself a favor and read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Terminal illness, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content and Bullying
feebles640's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, Grief, Pregnancy, Cancer, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Vomit, Blood, Bullying, and Abandonment
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Violence
clagarnach_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Medical content, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death, Car accident, Cancer, Bullying, and Alcohol
rowanhill's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This stunning poetic novel is an intimate exploration of mind, body, and experience in both their literal and symbolic manifestations. As main character Lia and her family struggle with a recurrence of breast cancer, the reader is taken on a journey through all of the pieces, past and present, that have shaped Lia both physically and personally. The experiment with prose and linguistic form throughout the book helps capture the entire human experience in a way that is hard to express in a short review like this. However, I also think that the non-traditional form can be divisive for readers who are expecting a more straightforward narrative. In short, this is a book that you “experience” rather than “read” and being able to resonate with the journey will be the difference between loving and disliking this novel.
Despite her turbulent past, children’s book author and illustrator Lia has finally found stability and happiness with her husband Harry and daughter Iris. However, this small slice of peace and happiness is once again thrown into turmoil when Lia finds out her cancer has returned. As Lia’s body is torn apart by both treatment and disease, the pieces of her past that have shaped her present are uncovered and reframed in both body and mind. Meanwhile, Harry and Iris must navigate their own challenges and the reality of life moving forward despite this sudden shift in their lives.
I received this novel through a giveaway and was completely blown away! I expected a heartfelt novel about a person’s struggle with cancer and how it affects their family; but I got so much more. Though cancer plays a big role, this book is truly an honest and intimate reflection on the many ways our experiences shape our bodies, minds, and relationships. Despite its poetic form, the book does not hit you over the head with lofty ideas but elegantly builds understanding through each character’s personal journey. The depth and complexity of human experience that this story is able to capture is remarkable and truly sets it apart.
I personally gave this book 5 stars, but there are still some elements that I think make this a book you will either love or simply not resonate with. Though not strictly a ‘novel in verse’, Mortimer tells this story through a variety of poetic forms and frequently utilizes non-traditional formatting. As such, the storytelling is not as straightforward as some readers prefer. The writing also has a ‘wandering’ feel and tends to shift perspective and time without warning. Though I personally liked the artistic effect of it, I can also see some readers feeling lost and/or confused. Additionally, this novel is slow moving and on the slightly longer side which could lead to some fatigue with the writing.
Ultimately, I think this book is best suited to readers who are willing to set aside expectations and go with the flow; let the experience unfold. One thing I can say for certain is that I would not try the audiobook on its own. Mortimer frequently creates visuals with her formatting that add to the overall experience of the story. I feel that a lot of the true art that sets this story apart simply won’t be captured in a purely auditory experience.
Despite her turbulent past, children’s book author and illustrator Lia has finally found stability and happiness with her husband Harry and daughter Iris. However, this small slice of peace and happiness is once again thrown into turmoil when Lia finds out her cancer has returned. As Lia’s body is torn apart by both treatment and disease, the pieces of her past that have shaped her present are uncovered and reframed in both body and mind. Meanwhile, Harry and Iris must navigate their own challenges and the reality of life moving forward despite this sudden shift in their lives.
I received this novel through a giveaway and was completely blown away! I expected a heartfelt novel about a person’s struggle with cancer and how it affects their family; but I got so much more. Though cancer plays a big role, this book is truly an honest and intimate reflection on the many ways our experiences shape our bodies, minds, and relationships. Despite its poetic form, the book does not hit you over the head with lofty ideas but elegantly builds understanding through each character’s personal journey. The depth and complexity of human experience that this story is able to capture is remarkable and truly sets it apart.
I personally gave this book 5 stars, but there are still some elements that I think make this a book you will either love or simply not resonate with. Though not strictly a ‘novel in verse’, Mortimer tells this story through a variety of poetic forms and frequently utilizes non-traditional formatting. As such, the storytelling is not as straightforward as some readers prefer. The writing also has a ‘wandering’ feel and tends to shift perspective and time without warning. Though I personally liked the artistic effect of it, I can also see some readers feeling lost and/or confused. Additionally, this novel is slow moving and on the slightly longer side which could lead to some fatigue with the writing.
Ultimately, I think this book is best suited to readers who are willing to set aside expectations and go with the flow; let the experience unfold. One thing I can say for certain is that I would not try the audiobook on its own. Mortimer frequently creates visuals with her formatting that add to the overall experience of the story. I feel that a lot of the true art that sets this story apart simply won’t be captured in a purely auditory experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Cancer, and Death
Moderate: Bullying, Medical content, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content, Addiction, Self harm, Car accident, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Physical abuse
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