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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Intense, intriguing, great but also difficult read. Too much of that fictitious world felt like reality.
I really wanted to love this because I enjoy dystopian novels and the topics presented, but I felt like the story was repetitive, lacked momentum, and that the different sections were disjointed and awkward.
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Gutter child simplifies colonialism into an unbelievable one generation story where the main characters are segregated and controlled while having little examples of how to emerge from the disaster. The main character was a little stoic, but I'd like to think that was intentional coping. Hard to put down, hard to read.
The themes, metaphors and symbols in Gutter Child are powerful and important to explore and reflect on. This book illustrates clear injustices and gaslighting in action and calls for the reflection on our society and the part we may play.
My thoughts on the book, or where it could improve, are strictly structural. I found myself confused in timelines - how old are the characters today? I also was missing descriptions, especially as to what era or aesthetic the world was. More world building was needed. Sometimes I’d picture the characters in the Victorian era, especially while in the mother and baby house with Miss Charlotte. Other times it was the 90s, or 70s. It leaves you feeling unmoored as a reader because the main character of Elimina had a strong background and story but I couldn’t quite place her.
The pacing was confusing at times - the ending especially came fast and felt a bit unresolved - or forcibly resolved. More detailed building would’ve also benefited the world in general. What was the landscape like? It all felt a bit vague. Again, strong and powerful themes in this book that could get lost in that vagueness.
My thoughts on the book, or where it could improve, are strictly structural. I found myself confused in timelines - how old are the characters today? I also was missing descriptions, especially as to what era or aesthetic the world was. More world building was needed. Sometimes I’d picture the characters in the Victorian era, especially while in the mother and baby house with Miss Charlotte. Other times it was the 90s, or 70s. It leaves you feeling unmoored as a reader because the main character of Elimina had a strong background and story but I couldn’t quite place her.
The pacing was confusing at times - the ending especially came fast and felt a bit unresolved - or forcibly resolved. More detailed building would’ve also benefited the world in general. What was the landscape like? It all felt a bit vague. Again, strong and powerful themes in this book that could get lost in that vagueness.
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced