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levifari's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I am just bursting at the seams with reflections on this book. The unhinderable acceleration from youth to adulthood, the deeply comforting nature of rigidity and rules, the ways (generously? critically? passionately? with indifference?) that we interpret and project ourselves and others, and how that feeds back into those very projections, the senselessness of everything just before the breakthrough, how our perception of the inaccessible fortifies it from our reach, how daily change stacks up and seems entire when you haven't been there to notice it all along... Everything in Vita Nostra is charged and layered and creeps up and attacks you. I gave myself a headache trying to decide how I hoped things would conclude for the protagonist midway through the book, which in itself led to a real personal reckoning about my craving for knowledge and what amount of autonomy we have a right to at different stages of our lives. I feel that the intent & derived meaning of the book is a reflection more of the reader's culture and personal philosophy than of the author's intent, and I felt that I too, alongside Sasha, balance on a sharp razor's edge in my conclusions.
I love the book's natural and subtle descriptiveness--it always felt easy to read, even when presenting complicated, almost nonsensical metaphysics, I think in part because Sasha often also can't make sense of what she's grappling with. And then, when she goes beyond the (or at least this!) reader's understanding, I just felt yearning, wishing to have that euphoric breakthrough alongside her.
But anyway, back to the friendly lilt in the translation's style--on vacation, foreign flora is not named, simply enjoyed in regular descriptive words (what 16 year old studies the flora local to their vacationing destination?). The inviting writing style is there in the imperfect recollection of a memory, in the taking-in of a traincar, in the quiet breaking apart of a relationship, the way people recede from Sasha's consideration altogether, and then crash back into her frantic and restless thoughts at inopportune moments. It all feels so real and convincing that you're almost unsurprised whenfish scales cover her face.
It is so easy and simple to feel for Sasha, even while she experiences something altogether alien.
I don't end reviews well so here's the ending :)
I love the book's natural and subtle descriptiveness--it always felt easy to read, even when presenting complicated, almost nonsensical metaphysics, I think in part because Sasha often also can't make sense of what she's grappling with. And then, when she goes beyond the (or at least this!) reader's understanding, I just felt yearning, wishing to have that euphoric breakthrough alongside her.
But anyway, back to the friendly lilt in the translation's style--on vacation, foreign flora is not named, simply enjoyed in regular descriptive words (what 16 year old studies the flora local to their vacationing destination?). The inviting writing style is there in the imperfect recollection of a memory, in the taking-in of a traincar, in the quiet breaking apart of a relationship, the way people recede from Sasha's consideration altogether, and then crash back into her frantic and restless thoughts at inopportune moments. It all feels so real and convincing that you're almost unsurprised when
It is so easy and simple to feel for Sasha, even while she experiences something altogether alien.
I don't end reviews well so here's the ending :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Physical abuse
Minor: Sexual assault and Confinement
sarah984's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It feels like you are going through Sasha’s metamorphosis alongside her. I feel like this must have been a beast to translate, considering how much of it is about language and very abstract concepts. Still, overall it was clear and evocative but emotional. Unlike many others here, I loved the ending.
I docked a star because some of the sexual violence/coercion early in the book felt really unnecessary (with Lisa most of all, but the part where Sasha basically has to lose her virginity for homework too). If you can stomach that though, and you're interested in a strange cerebral story about a person growing beyond her limit, you might enjoy this.
I docked a star because some of the sexual violence/coercion early in the book felt really unnecessary (with Lisa most of all, but the part where Sasha basically has to lose her virginity for homework too). If you can stomach that though, and you're interested in a strange cerebral story about a person growing beyond her limit, you might enjoy this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death of parent, Death, Emotional abuse, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Ableism, Abortion, Drug use, Fatphobia, Trafficking, and Rape
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