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A review by earnthefuture
Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'll start by saying that I am a cis, heterosexual man, so I'm not really the target audience for this book (which is okay!). Also, I am intentionally not referring or considering the author's alleged harassment of other LGBTQIA+ authors in my review. I don't really find it relevant nor do I care to involve myself in that issue.
Manhunt is a harrowing experience. I was so invested in main characters that the terrible things that happened to them affected me deeply, and kept me thinking about the realistic potential for such cruelty to occur in reality. Fran, Beth, Indi, and Ramona (the four characters we get the most insight into) are deeply complex; they each have their own needs and desires, but also realistically commit heinous acts in pursuit of their goals (moral or otherwise).
The action and violence is appropriately brutal, but that said, I needed to take frequent breaks when reading this novel. The brutality and cruelty with which some characters treat others is grim yet realistic, so it is important to know before you read that the experience will not be enjoyable. Be that as it may, in my opinion, this novel is essential reading for forming a broader outlook on trans issues.
The sexuality of the characters is also thoroughly examined. Some may find the graphic detail of these sex scenes distasteful, but my approach was to understand that I am but a guest in the house of this novel's perspective. Despite the scenes' intensity and graphic nature, a through-line of tenderness and vulnerability extends through all of them.
4/5
Manhunt is a harrowing experience. I was so invested in main characters that the terrible things that happened to them affected me deeply, and kept me thinking about the realistic potential for such cruelty to occur in reality. Fran, Beth, Indi, and Ramona (the four characters we get the most insight into) are deeply complex; they each have their own needs and desires, but also realistically commit heinous acts in pursuit of their goals (moral or otherwise).
The action and violence is appropriately brutal, but that said, I needed to take frequent breaks when reading this novel. The brutality and cruelty with which some characters treat others is grim yet realistic, so it is important to know before you read that the experience will not be enjoyable. Be that as it may, in my opinion, this novel is essential reading for forming a broader outlook on trans issues.
The sexuality of the characters is also thoroughly examined. Some may find the graphic detail of these sex scenes distasteful, but my approach was to understand that I am but a guest in the house of this novel's perspective. Despite the scenes' intensity and graphic nature, a through-line of tenderness and vulnerability extends through all of them.
4/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Dysphoria, Grief, Body shaming, Violence, Homophobia, Vomit, Death, Torture, War, Blood, Genocide, Gore, Body horror, Rape, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Transphobia, Murder, and Suicide
Moderate: Deadnaming