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herringboneshoeshine's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rorikae's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.0
'Hazardous Spirits' by Anbara Salam is a contemplative novel looking at one woman's grief as she tries to come to terms with her husband's claims that he can commune with spirits.
Evelyn Hazard is dealing with grief from the war and losing her older sister Delores when her husband Robert starts claiming that he can talk to spirits. Concerned by her husband's claims, Evelyn follows along as Robert delves further into the spiritualism movement. He begins working with a child prodigy and going on tours to do spiritual readings. Swept along, Evelyn can't decide what to believe. She longs for a connection to her dead sister while also hoping desperately that a secret from her past will not be revealed.
This is a fascinating character study of one woman's struggles with her husband's claim of seeing ghosts. Evelyn is a sympathetic character who has gone through a lot and is looking for some level of stability. At the same time, she wishes for a connection to the people she has lost and so finds a level of interest in her husband's claims. I think some people may not be fully satisfied with this novel because is very much a character driven story with minimal plot. There are some overarching plot pieces that come into play including a missing child and a secret from Evelyn's past that motivate some of the characters decisions. Right alongside Evelyn, the reader is left questioning whether Robert is actually seeing spirits or if everything is a sham. A few questions are answered at the end of the novel though the story does leave off without fully wrapping up these questions. I would recommend this book for people interested in a character study that centers around a husband and wife's relationship and discussions of ghosts and grief. It would be a good book club book as I think there is much to discuss regarding the ending and what readers believe is the truth of the story. I will be interested in what Salam writes next because her prose is simple yet evocative and she did an excellent job with portraying grief throughout the novel.
Evelyn Hazard is dealing with grief from the war and losing her older sister Delores when her husband Robert starts claiming that he can talk to spirits. Concerned by her husband's claims, Evelyn follows along as Robert delves further into the spiritualism movement. He begins working with a child prodigy and going on tours to do spiritual readings. Swept along, Evelyn can't decide what to believe. She longs for a connection to her dead sister while also hoping desperately that a secret from her past will not be revealed.
This is a fascinating character study of one woman's struggles with her husband's claim of seeing ghosts. Evelyn is a sympathetic character who has gone through a lot and is looking for some level of stability. At the same time, she wishes for a connection to the people she has lost and so finds a level of interest in her husband's claims. I think some people may not be fully satisfied with this novel because is very much a character driven story with minimal plot. There are some overarching plot pieces that come into play including a missing child and a secret from Evelyn's past that motivate some of the characters decisions. Right alongside Evelyn, the reader is left questioning whether Robert is actually seeing spirits or if everything is a sham. A few questions are answered at the end of the novel though the story does leave off without fully wrapping up these questions. I would recommend this book for people interested in a character study that centers around a husband and wife's relationship and discussions of ghosts and grief. It would be a good book club book as I think there is much to discuss regarding the ending and what readers believe is the truth of the story. I will be interested in what Salam writes next because her prose is simple yet evocative and she did an excellent job with portraying grief throughout the novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Gaslighting, War, Alcohol, Cultural appropriation, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
kingsleyf's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
4.25
lizzyb96's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
maggie_hamel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
valentinaburbank's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book was a slow paced, atmospheric story that just unfolded onto the page. There was a lot to like here in the story, but I found most of the characters challenging to like. I cared about them but couldn’t quite like them. There are some creepy moments but no real scares (which is a type of ghost story I enjoy because it feels more real). The descriptions of the parties and the fast set the main characters end up running with are well done. You feel a part of the action, as if you were drinking champagne and trying to laugh in a knowing, brittle way at jokes you aren’t sophisticated enough to get. The back and forth, belief/disbelief is interesting and the grief is moving.
It is a detailed look at Spiritualism, which is always a favorite subject of mine. The author shows how people will twist themselves into knots to see and hear what they want to hear. But like many readings from mediums there are details that cannot be guessed or faked. Robert seems so genuine. You asthe reader are basically right therewith Evie trying to decide what you think is happening.
The set up for the ending was a lovely piece of writing. It just drops on you and as you realize what it means, your mouth falls open. But the actual ending left me frustrated. A few more pages. A chapter maybe. I wanted some resolution. Still, I could have appreciated just not knowing the truth if it was skillfully handled. I can enjoy a well written ambiguous ending, but not one set up as a cliff hanger with no follow through.
It is a detailed look at Spiritualism, which is always a favorite subject of mine. The author shows how people will twist themselves into knots to see and hear what they want to hear. But like many readings from mediums there are details that cannot be guessed or faked. Robert seems so genuine. You asthe reader are basically right therewith Evie trying to decide what you think is happening.
The set up for the ending was a lovely piece of writing. It just drops on you and as you realize what it means, your mouth falls open. But the actual ending left me frustrated. A few more pages. A chapter maybe. I wanted some resolution. Still, I could have appreciated just not knowing the truth if it was skillfully handled. I can enjoy a well written ambiguous ending, but not one set up as a cliff hanger with no follow through.
marissab's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ekateclark's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0