ollythejellyfish 's review for:

Interesting Facts About Space by Emily Austin

5.0

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Interesting facts about space is one of the best books ive read in a long. Austin's prose is a bit difficult to get into, but once it clicks for you, you cant stop reading. Enid is a complex and very interesting person, and i found her very relateable ( she also kinda reminded me of ' fleabag', if youre familier) . Shes messy, self distructive, she hides herself away. She thinks something is wrong with her, and she has highly masked all of her life. But i connected with her on a very deep level, maybe more then I have ever with another character. The book is a brilliant character exploration of what its like dealing with trauma, neroudivergancy, fears, and living in a society that isnt built for you. The book uses its themes and metaphors in an incredible way, and has an amazing use of the 'show dont tell' narative ( even if sometimes i found it, a bit repetitive, though i suspect its intentional ). 
It also has an incredible use of its diverse cast of character, like Polly, whos a direct foil character of Enid, and the first person to whom Enid truly connects with on a deeper level. Her mom, and their complex relationship, that i found was brilliantly written to show to complexity of depression and the way it affects a kid growing up. 
The only thing I think couldve been better, is Vins and Enids relationship, that was resolved late into the story, and i wouldve liked more round character arc with him, but I understand why it came so late into the story. 
Most of all, this story is human in a way that capsulate the fact that were all a little broken, but maybe we can find warmth and love in embracing that. 
This book will stay with me forever. Thank you