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misstwosense's review against another edition
2.0
Read reviews first, not blurbs!
Probably I would have liked this better if the description/synopsis for it wasn’t so completely deceptive. This is a meandering, dreamy exploration of themes and ideas. Which is fine, but to pretend that its a haunted house story, or a mystery, or even any kind of linear narrative is pretty misleading.
Overall, I kept waiting for something that never came- an inciting incident, a focal point, explanations. Instead I was tricked into reading a book about wealthy white teenagers who have a lot of angst and quirks (my absolute drop dead least favorite sub genre of fiction).
Probably I would have liked this better if the description/synopsis for it wasn’t so completely deceptive. This is a meandering, dreamy exploration of themes and ideas. Which is fine, but to pretend that its a haunted house story, or a mystery, or even any kind of linear narrative is pretty misleading.
Overall, I kept waiting for something that never came- an inciting incident, a focal point, explanations. Instead I was tricked into reading a book about wealthy white teenagers who have a lot of angst and quirks (my absolute drop dead least favorite sub genre of fiction).
trashkingmax's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a tough read for me. To be quite honest, I've been mulling it over since I finished it, and I still don't really get it. All of the main characters sort of just have the story happen to them.
It's well-written, but it's just a little... bizarre. Like a vegan sandwich, there's a lot to chew on, but there's no real meat to it.
It's well-written, but it's just a little... bizarre. Like a vegan sandwich, there's a lot to chew on, but there's no real meat to it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Eating disorder
Moderate: War, Xenophobia, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, and Death
davidcottington's review against another edition
3.0
I had no idea what was going on throughout most of the story - for some reason couldn’t stop reading. Really wanted to enjoy it but felt it was lacking something.
chaifanatic18's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nonesensed's review against another edition
5.0
Where is Miranda? You'll get different answers depending who you ask. Her brother will say she's run away. Her maybe-girlfriend-maybe-not will say she's under her mother's house. Her mother's house will let you know she's home sick.
An enjoyable read if you enjoy creeping chills and dream-like prose! We start with an ending and find our way there through the rest of the story. The story is very much atmosphere and character fates more than it's a mystery to be solved. It's a book made for discussions and theorizing after you've read it.
An enjoyable read if you enjoy creeping chills and dream-like prose! We start with an ending and find our way there through the rest of the story. The story is very much atmosphere and character fates more than it's a mystery to be solved. It's a book made for discussions and theorizing after you've read it.
bluemaiden's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
chelseareads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
3.75
Yikes. I'm not used to reading this type of book and it was a lot. But so well-written and carefully planned. The narration was excellent and the pacing was good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Blood, Eating disorder, Gore, and Racism
Moderate: Cannibalism, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Animal cruelty
thisjustem's review against another edition
2.0
This was short and deeply unsettling. With so many questions posed throughout I kept reading for actual answers that never came. More unsettling by the fact that Oyeyemi has made Miri's mental illness add to the creepy factor of the novel, potentially just to add to the vibe and that just doesn't sit well with me.
chelsealchampion's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
An eerie neo-Gothic read, ultimately enjoyable but gets off to a very slow start. It took me awhile to differentiate between the constantly changing narrators.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Xenophobia and Gore