Reviews

The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill

jordanian_reads_'s review

5.0

I could not put down this gorgeous, unsettling novella. The Crane Husband combines magical realism and a touch of dystopia in a very loose retelling of the folktale “The Crane Wife.” Kelly Barnhill’s novella is narrated by a 15 year old girl, who is older than her years after taking care of her young brother and artist mother following the death of her father. She is used to men coming through their house, but one day her mother brings home a crane, who unlike previous boyfriends, is there to stay.

The storytelling is extremely dark and compelling, but for me the setting is the true star. Barnhill set this book in a Midwest farm town and somehow created a place that feels slightly futuristic and yet absolutely timeless. It’s the perfect setting for a grim fairytale about art, family, abuse and freedom.

BRB, I gotta go read Barnhill’s When Women Were Dragons.

Thanks to Macmillan-Tor/Forge and Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on February 28, 2023.

marisatn's review

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Such a strange, quick read. I love Kelly Barnhill. 

cardboard_triptych's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

jenhurst's review

4.0

I really liked the lyrical writing as it explored dark topics. The main character is dealing with an emotionally absent single mom and raising her little brother. Her mother is in an abusive relationship “signified as the crane”. I think this was a really good retelling.

jdiaz1124's review

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

gondorgirl's review

challenging emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Sexual content, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Death of parent

heysunbee's review

challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

a_l_deleon's review

dark mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

Once again, Kelly Barnhill delivers a powerful and thought-provoking story.  I haven't read a book of hers that I didn't like. 

lene_cv's review

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

anaccfarinha's review against another edition

5.0

4.5