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A review by starlitpage
The First Bright Thing by J.R. Dawson
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This book suffers a bit from a case of modern sensibilities in a period novel. But if you can get through the first few chapters, it justifies itself with meaning and hope grounded in the book's present. In the end, it does have a modern queer hopefulness that reminds me of Becky Chambers or TJ Klune, and the period of it--sandwiched between the first and second world wars, with what that entails for a time-hopper--serves that message. I'm still not entirely sure how much to trust the historical accuracy, but at least there's an in-text acknowledgement of the most glaring anachronism (to me, with my circus experience) and a list of sources on circus history in.the acknowledgements pages.
Graphic: War, Body horror, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Police brutality, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, and Self harm
Minor: Genocide, Misogyny, and Lesbophobia
The narrative is on the right side against homophobia and antisemitism