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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Somewhat confusing in it's approach to lyrical prose, but touching nonetheless.
The Clothesline Swing follows 'the storyteller', as he attempts to keep his lover alive by telling stories—an inverted Scheherazade, as the text itself points out. Each chapter is like one of her 1001 nights, but each story is about the storyteller, his lover, or the third in their relationship: death, who is a living entity in the tale in a play of magical realism.
Though the overall arc of the story is absolutely beautiful and incredibly poignant (it's clear how the author pulls from his own experiences as a gay refugee coming to Canada), the structure itself can be a bit of a struggle.
My largest issue was the perspective frequently switching—usually in ways that make sense, but also at times in ways that are difficult enough that they take you out of the experience. It could be hard to follow if the story was about the storyteller, his mother, someone else he knew, his lover, or that man's family/friends, or someone else entirely, especially when perspective would change between the magical realism of the "present" and the act of the protagonist remebering and the story he was telling. (One particularly egregious example involved recollections of his mother, which involved multiple perspective switches in the middle of a section. Clearly this was a purposeful choice, which I respect, but it didn't work for me.)
Unfortunately there were also issues with the prose being a little too lyrical and flowery for me, to the point that it felt repetitive instead of beautiful. (When I first read about a kiss being printed on someone, I thought it was beautiful. When that word is used for every single kiss, of which there are many, it stopped being so lovely)
While I have my issues with the prose, I'm very glad I read this novel. It's a unique story and perspective, and different from what I normally read.
If you're a fan of very lyrical prose, stories about stories, and the unmitigatable beauty of queer love, you'll want to check this one out.
The Clothesline Swing follows 'the storyteller', as he attempts to keep his lover alive by telling stories—an inverted Scheherazade, as the text itself points out. Each chapter is like one of her 1001 nights, but each story is about the storyteller, his lover, or the third in their relationship: death, who is a living entity in the tale in a play of magical realism.
Though the overall arc of the story is absolutely beautiful and incredibly poignant (it's clear how the author pulls from his own experiences as a gay refugee coming to Canada), the structure itself can be a bit of a struggle.
My largest issue was the perspective frequently switching—usually in ways that make sense, but also at times in ways that are difficult enough that they take you out of the experience. It could be hard to follow if the story was about the storyteller, his mother, someone else he knew, his lover, or that man's family/friends, or someone else entirely, especially when perspective would change between the magical realism of the "present" and the act of the protagonist remebering and the story he was telling. (One particularly egregious example involved recollections of his mother, which involved multiple perspective switches in the middle of a section. Clearly this was a purposeful choice, which I respect, but it didn't work for me.)
Unfortunately there were also issues with the prose being a little too lyrical and flowery for me, to the point that it felt repetitive instead of beautiful. (When I first read about a kiss being printed on someone, I thought it was beautiful. When that word is used for every single kiss, of which there are many, it stopped being so lovely)
While I have my issues with the prose, I'm very glad I read this novel. It's a unique story and perspective, and different from what I normally read.
If you're a fan of very lyrical prose, stories about stories, and the unmitigatable beauty of queer love, you'll want to check this one out.
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I devoured this book in a matter of days, which is rare for me. This book is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read. The stories and relationships in this book are magical and heart-wrenching and eye-opening. It is a timely read that I cannot recommend enough, as it offers insight into worlds often overlooked, ignored, and wrongly stereotyped. I'm honestly surprised I only cried at the end, and in part it was because I didn't want it to be over (although there were multiple points throughout the book where I nearly shed tears).
Now I just need to find friends who have also read it so I can endlessly talk about how much I love The Clothesline Swing!
Now I just need to find friends who have also read it so I can endlessly talk about how much I love The Clothesline Swing!
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Beautifully written. As a middle eastern person I could really recognise myself in the story' environment whilst appreciating the story line which felt familiar and homely with elements that opened up for conversations about life, love, hardship and death.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
Because of the storytelling format and the narrator’s disposition, this book managed to feel both heavy and light. I really enjoyed it, even though some of the characters were really tragic.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-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:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
this book is so sad, and it just made me really grateful for my home and city, and the freedom that i have to walk around without fear. in conclusion, fuck all homophobes.