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rorikae's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
'Parasol Against the Axe' by Helen Oyeyemi is a book about how each person has a unique experience of a book told through one woman's experience.
Hero Tojosoa visits Prague as part of a bachelorette weekend. She takes this as an opportunity to relax with a new book that her son has given to her. But each time she opens the book, the story has changed. Seeking answers and fleeing from a letter that she has been avoiding, Hero gets wrapped up in what the book can mean as she also tries to participate in the bachelorette weekend.
Yet again, Oyeyemi does an exceptional job of creating a vivid world with her lush prose. This book does a great job of exploring how different people experience a book and a city. This is told through a more literal interpretation of a book that literally changes depending on the person who reads the book and when they read the book. The plot itself is a bit confusing (as I have found often happens with Oyeyemi's books) but I have learned that I read her books for the themes, writing, and atmosphere, not for the specific plot beats. I appreciated this theme and how Oyeyemi explores it. If you are interested in books that are heavy on themes told through beautiful prose and surreal moments, then definitely check out Oyeyemi's books.
Hero Tojosoa visits Prague as part of a bachelorette weekend. She takes this as an opportunity to relax with a new book that her son has given to her. But each time she opens the book, the story has changed. Seeking answers and fleeing from a letter that she has been avoiding, Hero gets wrapped up in what the book can mean as she also tries to participate in the bachelorette weekend.
Yet again, Oyeyemi does an exceptional job of creating a vivid world with her lush prose. This book does a great job of exploring how different people experience a book and a city. This is told through a more literal interpretation of a book that literally changes depending on the person who reads the book and when they read the book. The plot itself is a bit confusing (as I have found often happens with Oyeyemi's books) but I have learned that I read her books for the themes, writing, and atmosphere, not for the specific plot beats. I appreciated this theme and how Oyeyemi explores it. If you are interested in books that are heavy on themes told through beautiful prose and surreal moments, then definitely check out Oyeyemi's books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Grief, Toxic friendship, Death of parent, and Suicide
toffishay's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Wow! I don't know what to think at the end of this book, in a good way. I read the summary and thought that I would get something in the vein of The Master and Margarita. But this book tells a tale all its own. Actually many tales! Here, we explore themes of time and memory, who we are to different people and how we can be different to ourselves throughout our lives and in different places, and how the reader/listener of a story impacts the story that they are reading/hearing. Without giving anything away, things get really wacky! It can be a little tough to follow at times and I found the couching story a little less interesting than all of the little stories woven throughout.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Pedophilia, Child abuse, and Suicide
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