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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-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
This was the charming romantic story I'd been hoping to read in between some heavier novels. San Francisco of the late 40s with queer artists enjoying their city, falling in love, and helping each other out with a little magic.
emotional
mysterious
A mix of historical fiction and magical realism that explores the 40's lesbian culture in San Francisco following a group of lesbian and bi women and featuring a butch/femme couple falling in love.
It's short but impactful. I wished the magical elements were incorporated a bit better
It's short but impactful. I wished the magical elements were incorporated a bit better
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Lesbophobia
Moderate: Domestic abuse
content warnings: racism (incl. Orientalism & anti-Semitism), queerphobia (especially homophobia and transphobia), misgendering & dead-naming, bi/pan erasure, racist & queerphobic slurs, mention of being outed, mention of conversion therapy, infidelity, emotional & physical domestic abuse, alcoholism, mention of past child abuse, on-page vehicular manslaughter, minor character death, suicide by OD, terminal illness, sexual harassment, blood magic
rep:third generation Japanese-American WLW MC [Helen], Jewish bi/pan MC with likely PTSD [Haskel], lesbian MC/LI [Emily], F/F main relationship, F/F secondary relationship, M/(bi/pan) F relationship, queer main cast, diverse minor characters incl. Asian, Asian-American & trans
I think going in with no idea of what this would be about (I got it as part of the [b:In Our Own Worlds: Four LGBTQ+ Tor.com Novellas|39724296|In Our Own Worlds Four LGBTQ+ Tor.com Novellas|Margaret Killjoy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1522942282l/39724296._SY75_.jpg|61405231] collection) worked out for the better, since I had to just take things as they came rather than having any preconceptions or expectations to affect the reading experience.
What stands out most is probably the general atmosphere: a sort of bubble of happiness snatched in a historical, conservative SF. There's a lot of fear and hate and intolerance that the characters have to deal with from outsiders, but there are also moments of joy and laughter and love. While the characters aren't super fleshed-out they do have distinct personalities, and their relationships (romantic & friendly alike) are vibrant.
The plot is engaging without being overly dramatic or overwhelming, allowing readers to focus on the themes and concepts being illustrated; this balance won't be for everyone, of course, but I quite liked that it's straightforward without being simple.
-----------
CONVERSION: 12.2 / 15 = 4.5 stars
Prose: 7 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 8 / 10
Emotional Impact: 8 / 10
Development / Flow: 9 / 10
Setting: 9 / 10
Diversity & Social Themes: 4 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 3 / 5
Rereadability: 4 / 5
Memorability: 5 / 5
rep:
I think going in with no idea of what this would be about (I got it as part of the [b:In Our Own Worlds: Four LGBTQ+ Tor.com Novellas|39724296|In Our Own Worlds Four LGBTQ+ Tor.com Novellas|Margaret Killjoy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1522942282l/39724296._SY75_.jpg|61405231] collection) worked out for the better, since I had to just take things as they came rather than having any preconceptions or expectations to affect the reading experience.
What stands out most is probably the general atmosphere: a sort of bubble of happiness snatched in a historical, conservative SF. There's a lot of fear and hate and intolerance that the characters have to deal with from outsiders, but there are also moments of joy and laughter and love. While the characters aren't super fleshed-out they do have distinct personalities, and their relationships (romantic & friendly alike) are vibrant.
The plot is engaging without being overly dramatic or overwhelming, allowing readers to focus on the themes and concepts being illustrated; this balance won't be for everyone, of course, but I quite liked that it's straightforward without being simple.
-----------
CONVERSION: 12.2 / 15 = 4.5 stars
Prose: 7 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 8 / 10
Emotional Impact: 8 / 10
Development / Flow: 9 / 10
Setting: 9 / 10
Diversity & Social Themes: 4 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 3 / 5
Rereadability: 4 / 5
Memorability: 5 / 5
Passing Strange is a strange book with an undigested lumps of fantasy sticking out of an engaging romance between two women in 1940's San Francisco. I can't say what Klages was going for at the end of the book, just that the fantasy element seemed a forced, perhaps melancholicly symbolic ending to the story. The two lovers suddenly disappear from the story - a sort of narrative death/double suicide or an airy wishfulfillment of them living happily ever after - I suppose it says more about my own disposition that I lean towards the dark interpretation. So yes, Passing Strange is what it says on the tin - strange.
Sadly, this book did not really work for me. The very beginning totally sucked me in, and I liked the magical bits. But for a book where magic ends up being so central to what happened, there was almost no magic and what magic there was felt super rushed. The way the characters communicate was perplexing to me and didn't feel at all natural (especially the scene where Haskel explains her background to Emily). I also found the story itself meandering, and not in the way I sometimes like. And I NEVER got over "uno momento," which is incorrect Spanish unless there is some strange 1940s exception that I am unaware of. Sidenote, why is Diego Rivera even in this book?
I contemplated DNFing it at multiple points (which is almost impressive, considering how short it is). With just the last long chapter left, I skipped to the final chapter to see how it ends and see if it was worth finishing. It was intriguing enough for me to then go back to the long chapter and finish it up. That was definitely the most interesting part of the entire book, besides the opening section.
So, the beginning and the end get this up to 2 stars for me.
I contemplated DNFing it at multiple points (which is almost impressive, considering how short it is). With just the last long chapter left, I skipped to the final chapter to see how it ends and see if it was worth finishing. It was intriguing enough for me to then go back to the long chapter and finish it up. That was definitely the most interesting part of the entire book, besides the opening section.
So, the beginning and the end get this up to 2 stars for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Police brutality
Minor: Misogyny
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
fast-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
A beautiful story!! But it makes you sad about the past and i guess the present bigotry and racism that women, lesbians and anyone different go through.
I liked the little bits of magic thrown in throughout, if the story was longer i could imagine that being a much bigger part of the storyline.
And i loved the descriptions of san fran, such a beautiful city.
I liked the little bits of magic thrown in throughout, if the story was longer i could imagine that being a much bigger part of the storyline.
And i loved the descriptions of san fran, such a beautiful city.