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A review by katherineshawwrites
Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is one of those books that stick with you. It's gritty and bleak, yet fascinating, surprising and powerful. Rivers Solomon doesn't hold back when laying bare the US' dark history of colonisation, corruption, racism and religious oppression, putting these themes at the forefront of this dark speculative story. There is mystery throughout, with the truth being bizarre and yet believable, leading us into a gripping, tragic and somehow hopeful finale.
It isn't an easy read - Vern is definitely a morally grey main character who can be unlikeable at times, but she's also incredibly sympathetic, and you are always rooting for her to finally achieve peace, both with herself and her situation.
All in all, an excellent book, and I will definitely pick up more of Solomon's work.
It isn't an easy read - Vern is definitely a morally grey main character who can be unlikeable at times, but she's also incredibly sympathetic, and you are always rooting for her to finally achieve peace, both with herself and her situation.
All in all, an excellent book, and I will definitely pick up more of Solomon's work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Gun violence, Misogyny, Medical content, and Colonisation