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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
I don't even really know how to begin to approach the question of how much I actually liked this book. Parts of it were horrifying, and parts of it were beautiful, and most of it was both simultaneously. I thought the grotesque brutality of its apocalyptic setting was incredibly rich and evocative. The violence and extremity of it all definitely gave off a Mad Max vibe that I wasn't mad at. The whole thing felt like a never-ending hallucinogenic nightmare.
Angela Carter's prose can sometimes be a little much for me. In certain instances, it can be perfectly lush and decadent (the entire beach/cave sequence at the end is stunning), but in others I find the sheer thickness of it incredibly challenging to cut through without losing focus. Since this is a short book and purposefully abstract most of the time, it didn't bother me so much, but there were a handful of times when I found my attention wandering.
What makes this book hardest to evaluate for me are the aspects of it that have aged poorly. Much of the language and ideas around gender identity here are outdated, to say the least. I have to imagine that if a book like this were written now, a character like Tristessa would be approached quite differently. The element of forced gender transition also reads pretty questionably through a modern lens, especially considering so much of the harmful rhetoric that is currently being weaponized against the trans community. That being said, I don't feel like gender non-conformity is disrespected as a concept, per se. It's just that Carter's way of writing about it is very of the times and lacks a lot of the knowledge and understanding that is now easily accessible.
So, ultimately, I do think this is an extraordinarily singular story that is told in a mostly engaging way and has meaningful things to say about femininity as a framework that can both constrain and liberate. At the same time, I think elements of it should also be taken with a grain of salt and considered carefully from within their own historical context rather than judged entirely by contemporary standards. This is a contradictory and controversial book by its very nature, and that's even more true now, which means it's important to read it with a discerning eye.
Angela Carter's prose can sometimes be a little much for me. In certain instances, it can be perfectly lush and decadent (the entire beach/cave sequence at the end is stunning), but in others I find the sheer thickness of it incredibly challenging to cut through without losing focus. Since this is a short book and purposefully abstract most of the time, it didn't bother me so much, but there were a handful of times when I found my attention wandering.
What makes this book hardest to evaluate for me are the aspects of it that have aged poorly. Much of the language and ideas around gender identity here are outdated, to say the least. I have to imagine that if a book like this were written now, a character like Tristessa would be approached quite differently. The element of forced gender transition also reads pretty questionably through a modern lens, especially considering so much of the harmful rhetoric that is currently being weaponized against the trans community. That being said, I don't feel like gender non-conformity is disrespected as a concept, per se. It's just that Carter's way of writing about it is very of the times and lacks a lot of the knowledge and understanding that is now easily accessible.
So, ultimately, I do think this is an extraordinarily singular story that is told in a mostly engaging way and has meaningful things to say about femininity as a framework that can both constrain and liberate. At the same time, I think elements of it should also be taken with a grain of salt and considered carefully from within their own historical context rather than judged entirely by contemporary standards. This is a contradictory and controversial book by its very nature, and that's even more true now, which means it's important to read it with a discerning eye.
3.5/5
This book has an amazing story and explores such rich themes. Carter raises so many questions about sexuality, identity and power relations. Every sentence is beautiful and there with a purpose.
But I haven't rated this book higher because I didn't enjoy reading it that much. I think I'll try to read this again in the upcoming year.
This book has an amazing story and explores such rich themes. Carter raises so many questions about sexuality, identity and power relations. Every sentence is beautiful and there with a purpose.
But I haven't rated this book higher because I didn't enjoy reading it that much. I think I'll try to read this again in the upcoming year.
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
fast-paced
DNF at page 46.
Me lo dejo. No acabo de pillarlo. No sé si hay alguna metáfora que me he perdido por leerlo en inglés o qué pero estoy muy confundida y por más que sigo no termino de enterarme de qué va esto.
Me lo dejo. No acabo de pillarlo. No sé si hay alguna metáfora que me he perdido por leerlo en inglés o qué pero estoy muy confundida y por más que sigo no termino de enterarme de qué va esto.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
adventurous
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
this book is blowing my mind...
edit: this book blew my mind.
edit: this book blew my mind.
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes