A review by nadia
Lote by Shola von Reinhold

adventurous challenging mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

This is a rich, complex, fascinating book. I've never read anything like it.

Discussing themes of history and how it's recorded, academic research and gatekeeping, luxury, art, culture, aesthetics, identity, and more, immersed with stories of historical Black queer characters, this book is packed with things to reflect on.

von Reinhold employs a particular storytelling device that I absolutely love, and it only serves to enhance the themes explored.

Whilst I really liked and appreciated this book, and I was intrigued the whole way, my enjoyment was hampered by me being a little bit too confused relatively often at what was happening. Given one of the topics of the book, I do wonder whether this was intentional on the part of the author — and if so, very clever and meta — or if the style wasn't wholly for me.

Either way, if you want to be challenged and the themes listed above sound right up your alley, then this is one for you. This is an incredible book for discussion, especially if you can get all of the interests and perspectives featured in Lote represented in your group!