You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.24 AVERAGE
3.24 AVERAGE
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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
Oyeyemi writes some of the most beautiful prose I’ve ever read. I wouldn’t say she creates a magical world, but she puts magic into ours, creating a pastel-colored fairy tale that I wish I could live in forever. The characters are beautiful and deep and complex and relatable, filled with flaws but never unredeemable. By the last page, you know them all; you are their friend and partner and you wouldn’t want to leave them for anything. But what makes Gingerbread the magical novel it is, is the story. It’s unlike any story I’ve ever read and it’s told unlike any story I’ve ever read. Gingerbread engulfs you and commands your attention and you wouldn’t have it any other way.
Whenever I read anything by Helen Oyeyemi, I go into it with two things in mind:
1. Your not going to know what's happening half of the time, and
2. You need to be willing to hand over the reigns and let your mind wander with the story
This book was no exception.
I think the issue with this story was that I wanted more Hansel & Gretel and fairytale magic, and while she gave us a tour of the bootleg, behind-the-scenes version of that (complete with magical gingerbread and talking dolls), it was hard to get lost in the story while being so LOST in the story. Every time I got my bearings I found myself enjoying the smart storytelling, but then something would change and I would be trying to find my way back.
While this wasn't my favorite Oyeyemi novel, is couldn't help but enjoy the cynical fairytale she created, and I'm still going to read everything she writes for forever.
1. Your not going to know what's happening half of the time, and
2. You need to be willing to hand over the reigns and let your mind wander with the story
This book was no exception.
I think the issue with this story was that I wanted more Hansel & Gretel and fairytale magic, and while she gave us a tour of the bootleg, behind-the-scenes version of that (complete with magical gingerbread and talking dolls), it was hard to get lost in the story while being so LOST in the story. Every time I got my bearings I found myself enjoying the smart storytelling, but then something would change and I would be trying to find my way back.
While this wasn't my favorite Oyeyemi novel, is couldn't help but enjoy the cynical fairytale she created, and I'm still going to read everything she writes for forever.
I loved the first 1/3 of this book but really struggled once it switched timelines and never really figured out what was happening. DNF about halfway through
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A 2019 staff favorite recommended by Emily and Lindsay. Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sgingerbread%20oyeyemi__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
This book was so weird and confusing, but I think I liked it. I was basically perplexed the entire time. Once, I feel asleep while reading it, and I woke up yelling, "IS THE MOM IMAGINARY? IS THE DAUGHTER IMAGINARY?"
I'm still not sure what I just read, but it was super intriguing and compelling. It's not a plot-heavy or character-heavy novel. Mostly just... description-heavy? Very strange. I'm curious to check out more of Oyeyemi's work now.
I'm still not sure what I just read, but it was super intriguing and compelling. It's not a plot-heavy or character-heavy novel. Mostly just... description-heavy? Very strange. I'm curious to check out more of Oyeyemi's work now.