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rednikki's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
2.5
The more I think on this book, the more I dislike it. Much like Edward Rutherford's famous books, Mason tells the history of a place through the people who have lived there over time.
But Mason only tells the story through the white people who have lived (or in one case, visited) there. Excluding people of color from point of view was clearly a decision Mason made. The first time we encounter the place, it is through the eyes of some of the first white settlers of the US; we never see it through the eyes of the historical people of the land. There is one section where there is a person of color living in the place, and Mason chooses to tell the story through the point of view of a white visitor instead.
Rutherford's books also usually have at least some time points where there is hope and happiness. In Mason's world, there is only misery, tragedy and despair. Sometimes it's just an undercurrent, sometimes it is overwhelming – but whenever his characters experience joy they are punished for it.
Do not recommend.
But Mason only tells the story through the white people who have lived (or in one case, visited) there. Excluding people of color from point of view was clearly a decision Mason made. The first time we encounter the place, it is through the eyes of some of the first white settlers of the US; we never see it through the eyes of the historical people of the land. There is one section where there is a person of color living in the place, and Mason chooses to tell the story through the point of view of a white visitor instead.
Rutherford's books also usually have at least some time points where there is hope and happiness. In Mason's world, there is only misery, tragedy and despair. Sometimes it's just an undercurrent, sometimes it is overwhelming – but whenever his characters experience joy they are punished for it.
Do not recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Kidnapping, Animal death, Violence, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Grief, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Homophobia, Terminal illness, Dementia, and Death
massivepizzacrust's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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
Different than anything I had read before and I just loved it. I loved all the writing formats and styles, I always wanted to know what happened next. And while everything has to end, the idea that nothing really ends is beautiful. I didn't expect the last chapter at all, and in ways I think it relieved more tension than I expected but I also loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Murder, Slavery, and Kidnapping
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