A review by archytas
Homecoming by Elfie Shiosaki

emotional informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

There is, frankly, an astonishing feat of storytelling. Shiosaki draws on archival records, imaginings, oral histories and images, and, in composition, utilises such precise sense of positioning and order that you can hear not only the voices, but the pauses, and the things unsaid.

The result is a compelling, heroic story of a family - both as an unit united through time and as individuals - and thier survival. It also critiques the archive, looking at what is left out and why, as well as what perspective it is curated into, and then filtered through. In this way, it is both a celebration and a condemnation of archives.

I read the pdf ebook version of this. At first I thought there had been stylistic decisions to write words as typeovers (still not 100% sure there weren't) but eventually realised it appeared to be an issue with the rendered of th combinations. I ended up buying a copy - both because I really do think this is a spectacular volume and because I wanted to not be confusing accident with intent.