A review by aimeenotpond
Medusa of the Roses by Navid Sinaki

Did not finish book. Stopped at 43%.

NetGalley ARC Review:

An intriguing, raw novel that should be more prosaic and could be less sexually explicit.

Despite the captivating premise of hypocritical homosexuality and gender laws in Iran, the book’s sensory aspects are far more prominent than its plot. The second-person narrative is, in my experience, rarely successful but Sinaki’s prose lends itself perfectly to its use - I think because it reads more like poetry than a novel. That, along with a beautiful narration from Michale Crouch, kept me listening to this audiobook longer than I may otherwise have. Still, I didn’t feel motivated to go back to this after about 50%, which is usually as long as I give ARCs to capture my attention. 

I could see myself picking this up again in the right setting; I feel like it would lend itself well to a languid, stickily hot summer’s day. But that’s the main appeal of such a literary novel as Medusa of the Roses: it’s a mood read. I am not currently in the mood to listen to more descriptions of come. But maybe some of you are.