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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
So good it left me with one question…why did it take me so long to finally read this book?!
Very quick-paced story about doppelgangers trying to kill the original. The way the mollys are created is kinda creepy in a good way. I don't fully understand the Cold War/Russian spy stuff, and the ending feels a little abrupt. It is the first in a trilogy though, so I just gotta have faith that it's explained in the next book.
Trigger warnings:
This book is exactly what the synopsis suggests and it's magnificent. The entire concept of this book is intriguing and gripping, and the actual narration of the plot is damn near perfect.
The character development of the main character, Molly, is flawless. The way she grows and interacts with this strange but unavoidable condition felt incredibly authentic. The science-fiction element isn't overdone, but enough to provide an explanation of how Molly came to be. And the round-about conclusion of the story was something I couldn't fault if I tried.
Tade Thompson is an author I have wanted to pick up for a long time, and I highly implore any reader who is curious to not delay picking up his work.
Spoiler
captivity, neglect, physical injury and assault, parental domestic violence, blood depiction, death of a pet, murder, gun violence (implied), death of a child, fire, animal dissection, necrophilic behaviour (graphic kissing of a corpse), nonconsensual drugging, self-injury, death of parents, dead bodies, dismembermentThis book is exactly what the synopsis suggests and it's magnificent. The entire concept of this book is intriguing and gripping, and the actual narration of the plot is damn near perfect.
The character development of the main character, Molly, is flawless. The way she grows and interacts with this strange but unavoidable condition felt incredibly authentic. The science-fiction element isn't overdone, but enough to provide an explanation of how Molly came to be. And the round-about conclusion of the story was something I couldn't fault if I tried.
Tade Thompson is an author I have wanted to pick up for a long time, and I highly implore any reader who is curious to not delay picking up his work.
blog • trigger warning database • more links
Happy reading! ❤
mysterious
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really good execution of an idea. I read it in one sitting and definitely wanted more by the end. A really conceptual and dark piece that’s grounded in enough humanity to really sell it.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Read this book thanks to Tor.com eBook Club (thanks!)
The Murders of Molly Southborne is a good read for a single sitting, a short story with an engaging narrative. As other readers pointed, the blurb seems a bit farfetched and silly, but the idea really pans out to an interesting story, as long as you keep a minimum suspension of disbelief - as in "don't discuss the science behind it", which honestly can be a rule by itself for the whole horror genre.
The concept and the main character feel different and strange and, while I had an easier time understanding and relating to young-Molly as opposed to the robotic and unfeeling adult-Molly, I guess years of carnage can do that to a person.
I have to say I do not enjoy gore at all and tend to avoid it like the plague, but while the book does feature dismemberment and plenty of human body disposal / dissection, it's not a focus of the story and it's not described in great detail, so I didn't mind.
I would have loved a bit more depth on Mom's story or the world wide fertility problems, but overall I really liked this book.
The Murders of Molly Southborne is a good read for a single sitting, a short story with an engaging narrative. As other readers pointed, the blurb seems a bit farfetched and silly, but the idea really pans out to an interesting story, as long as you keep a minimum suspension of disbelief - as in "don't discuss the science behind it", which honestly can be a rule by itself for the whole horror genre.
The concept and the main character feel different and strange and, while I had an easier time understanding and relating to young-Molly as opposed to the robotic and unfeeling adult-Molly, I guess years of carnage can do that to a person.
I have to say I do not enjoy gore at all and tend to avoid it like the plague, but while the book does feature dismemberment and plenty of human body disposal / dissection, it's not a focus of the story and it's not described in great detail, so I didn't mind.
I would have loved a bit more depth on Mom's story or the world wide fertility problems, but overall I really liked this book.
I almost set this aside after the first few pages, intending to delete it from my TBR like I never intended to read it: I'm that tired of protagonists with amnesia.
I can't say exactly what made me keep going. Something about it was compelling even under the weight of my personal bias, and when the flow of the narrative abruptly changed, I became hooked.
I don't usually say "hooked" about something I rate at two stars. The compliment that I can give this novella without reservation is that it's exceptionally well-paced.
Ultimately, though, I don't know what the point was. At different times during the story I could feel the hand of the author pressing my nose to the page (metaphorically, it was my phone) and asking, "See? See what I'm getting at here?" But the answer was always no. I didn't get it. Even with a day to reflect before writing this review, I still don't get it. A few stray bits of story, coupled with a few things Molly said, seemed anti-natalist, but without knowing more about the author I doubt that's the intention. Other things suggested a different flavor of existential despair, and at one point--sadly I don't remember what made me think this, exactly--I wondered if the symbolism was anti-abortion. Which doesn't square with the possible anti-natalism at all, and that's why I question if I'm reading in between the lines correctly. I doubt I am. I found the thematic underpinnings of this little SF/horror tale to be murky at best.
I didn't realize until I came to write the review that there were sequels, but in this case I don't think knowing that would have changed my expectations of the story. It has an ending, one that is narratively satisfactory (if not thematically, because I still don't know what the point was.) It's possible to use that ending as a cliffhanger, but not necessary to; I felt it was complete and don't have any complaints about it specifically.
On a personal note, this is yet another strike in the long line of "I got this ebook free from Tor's newsletter and I didn't like it much." I actually noticed that pattern a while ago and stopped downloading them last year, though I've still got a backlog to get through. What is it about modern SF/F that I'm not grokking? Because it seems like everyone else likes them...
I can't say exactly what made me keep going. Something about it was compelling even under the weight of my personal bias, and when the flow of the narrative abruptly changed, I became hooked.
I don't usually say "hooked" about something I rate at two stars. The compliment that I can give this novella without reservation is that it's exceptionally well-paced.
Ultimately, though, I don't know what the point was. At different times during the story I could feel the hand of the author pressing my nose to the page (metaphorically, it was my phone) and asking, "See? See what I'm getting at here?" But the answer was always no. I didn't get it. Even with a day to reflect before writing this review, I still don't get it. A few stray bits of story, coupled with a few things Molly said, seemed anti-natalist, but without knowing more about the author I doubt that's the intention. Other things suggested a different flavor of existential despair, and at one point--sadly I don't remember what made me think this, exactly--I wondered if the symbolism was anti-abortion. Which doesn't square with the possible anti-natalism at all, and that's why I question if I'm reading in between the lines correctly. I doubt I am. I found the thematic underpinnings of this little SF/horror tale to be murky at best.
I didn't realize until I came to write the review that there were sequels, but in this case I don't think knowing that would have changed my expectations of the story. It has an ending, one that is narratively satisfactory (if not thematically, because I still don't know what the point was.) It's possible to use that ending as a cliffhanger, but not necessary to; I felt it was complete and don't have any complaints about it specifically.
On a personal note, this is yet another strike in the long line of "I got this ebook free from Tor's newsletter and I didn't like it much." I actually noticed that pattern a while ago and stopped downloading them last year, though I've still got a backlog to get through. What is it about modern SF/F that I'm not grokking? Because it seems like everyone else likes them...