Reviews

I really don’t know what to think of this novel.
It was a slog at first and did not get interesting until 100+ pages in and although I enjoy the depth of characters Yaganihara is able to portray in her books I think the initial background story presented at the start of the book was unnecessary and boring.
However, as the story progressed I found myself strangely compelled and intrigued by the mystery of the plot as it became increasingly unsettling. Both narrators in this book feel as if they are protecting the main character, excusing, and explaining his behaviour. It left me disliking the Norton and suspicious throughout, all suspicions are of course confirmed true very bluntly in the epilogue.
Impressively written and I loved the added detail in the footnotes but an unsettling novel that was not an easy read in any way.

tablereader234's review against another edition

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5.0

As with Yanagihara's other books, some research into the darker content contained in this novel may help those considering a read can be helpful. But I love this book not only for the mystical world created on it islands, but for its unflinching depiction of scientific racism/colonialism, historical revisionism, and the slow descent into evil that seems so logical at the time. And from a narrative perspective, the withholding of one specific part of the story at the very end at the hands of the main character's acolyte is brilliant. A good story in its own right and a thought-provoking companion to considerations of historical events in colonized countries.

ortizzyy's review against another edition

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slow-paced

5.0

Damn… I honestly don’t have words.

The ending is so twisted. Despite knowing from the beginning what Norton is convicted of, the shock of reading his confession at the end is jarring.

The research and background story of the Ivu’ivu/U’ivuan people is astounding for its realism. I am in shock at how believable it all was. Some of the content makes me feel weird saying this, but this definitely going on my list of favorite books.

Content Warnings