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memeraryfiction 's review for:
Immaculate Conception
by Ling Ling Huang
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The core concept of this book - an artist who is intensely jealous of their highly successful, "genius" friend - has been done before. A lot. Despite this, Immaculate Conception feels fresh, exciting, and original. The inclusion of near-future science fiction elements alongside some body horror is a new spin on the concept; but more than that, Huang's writing and characterization simply feels new, exciting, and urgent.
I also feel that some authors struggle to write about the fine art world without sounding pretentious, clueless, or both. Immaculate Conception, on the other hand, reads an unselfconsciously well-informed and accurate. The art world feels like the point, rather than a gimmick.
Huang is an excellent writer, with the language, structure, and pacing all working together well and propelling the book forward. I picked this up at the library on a whim and hadn't read Natural Beauty yet, but I will now be seeking it out, and looking forward to whatever she writes next.
I also feel that some authors struggle to write about the fine art world without sounding pretentious, clueless, or both. Immaculate Conception, on the other hand, reads an unselfconsciously well-informed and accurate. The art world feels like the point, rather than a gimmick.
Huang is an excellent writer, with the language, structure, and pacing all working together well and propelling the book forward. I picked this up at the library on a whim and hadn't read Natural Beauty yet, but I will now be seeking it out, and looking forward to whatever she writes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Mental illness, Self harm, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Confinement, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Classism
Minor: Animal death, Racism, Blood