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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Lovely and a very quick read. Makes me long to visit San Francisco again.
I'm a big pulp magazine art buff so that was a bonus for me. Haskell is such a great character. All the characters are wonderful. It'd be the best to know The Circle. And oh the glamor! The drinks and pizzas and moonlit nights... a great little book to spend a weekend in.
My one complaint is that at the ending I wanted... well more explicitly to know what happened. I feel like there's a confusion on what the magic does and doesn't do. I know I'm tiptoeing close to spoilers.
I'm a big pulp magazine art buff so that was a bonus for me. Haskell is such a great character. All the characters are wonderful. It'd be the best to know The Circle. And oh the glamor! The drinks and pizzas and moonlit nights... a great little book to spend a weekend in.
My one complaint is that at the ending I wanted... well more explicitly to know what happened. I feel like there's a confusion on what the magic does and doesn't do. I know I'm tiptoeing close to spoilers.
fast-paced
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Police brutality, Lesbophobia
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I think I would have liked this book better if it was just about queer 1940s San Francisco without the fantasy elements. The fantasy elements are supposed to drive the plot, because without them the ending doesn’t work, but we learn so little about how it works that it just feels pigeonholed in and used for convenience.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
A beautifully written novella that tackles themes such as police brutality, lesbophobia, xenophobia, racism, physical abuse, societal expectations... as well as queer love, female friendship, fantasy, magic and a beautiful and nuance portrayal of queer life at that time.
In some occassions it reminded me of Stone Butch Blues because of the portrayal of lesbian (especially femme and butch identities) women and the difficulties they faced at the time. In that sense, this novella was heartbreaking.
However, the flirting, the longing gazes, the sweet intimate moments, the close relationships between these queer women were delightful. I felt in love with Helen/Spike (my god, no wonder everyone went crazy for her. I was going insane reading it) and Haskel (oh, Haskel). The inclusion of art, the descriptions especially of the last painting which is the gorgeous cover of this novella, the artistry vibes of all, noir films with lesbians (looking at you 'bound')... they were just marvelous.
Love and art can definitely be magical.
In some occassions it reminded me of Stone Butch Blues because of the portrayal of lesbian (especially femme and butch identities) women and the difficulties they faced at the time. In that sense, this novella was heartbreaking.
However, the flirting, the longing gazes, the sweet intimate moments, the close relationships between these queer women were delightful. I felt in love with Helen/Spike (my god, no wonder everyone went crazy for her. I was going insane reading it) and Haskel (oh, Haskel). The inclusion of art, the descriptions especially of the last painting which is the gorgeous cover of this novella, the artistry vibes of all, noir films with lesbians (looking at you 'bound')... they were just marvelous.
Love and art can definitely be magical.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Lesbophobia, Sexual harassment
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Such a delightful ode to friendship, femininity, and sexuality coupled with a vivid and (quite literally) magical setting. From characters to worldbuilding to plot, Passing Strange was an absolute satisfaction.