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sophusface's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-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
4.5
dre_'s review
4.0
i felt the following issues deeply in this read: racism, misogyny, gender dysphoria, violence against women, child abandonment, child abuse, alcoholism, the tragedy of the railroads, mines, gold rush - the forgotten histories of the people who built the rail, the racist nature of the way history gets passed along - and violence, in general. this book is dark, there's no levity: even in places where a smile or laugh might have been appropriate, i couldn't shake the anxiety that attended the entire experience of reading it. i loved the style, the magical realism, the superstition, the talking ghosts. this isn't really a review - just a record of my own experience. i'm glad i read it, but it was tough, unforgettable. empaths take heed.
michalow's review
5.0
A wonderfully imagined story with stunningly beautiful language. I'm looking forward to reading Zhang's next book.
alicebme's review
2.0
Beautifully written, but not in a style I enjoy. I did not enjoy reading this book at all. I really liked that the mother runs away. I did not like the whorehouse ending. I get it, but I did not like it. There’s also some real trauma going on with Sam. I’ve been thinking a lot about trauma partially informing (NOT CAUSING) a person’s sexual preference and/or gender identity a lot lately, especially after reading the allegations from Marion Zimmerman Bradley’s daughter.
Also, what the fuck, white people and rich people and men?!
My brain needs a big fucking break from this topic.
Also, what the fuck, white people and rich people and men?!
My brain needs a big fucking break from this topic.
skorned's review
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
2.0
This meandered too much and I couldn't get into the story. Unfortunately I didn't like the characters, which made it hard to sink into the story.
ominousspectre's review
4.0
Well now I am so very sad
It is cool to see a trans masc serve cunt amongst the sadness, but there is so much sad nonetheless
It is cool to see a trans masc serve cunt amongst the sadness, but there is so much sad nonetheless
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Minor: Dysphoria and Deadnaming
erintowner's review
4.0
I really disliked this one at first but the writing and layered story won me over in the end.