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A review by suppyguppy
Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy
5.0
This one brought me to tears by the end and I think it will stay with me for a very long time.
I enjoyed the world building of Migrations' dark future setting, where human induced ecological disaster has brought most animal species to extinction or the brink of it. I enjoyed the characters, who all felt distinct, genuine and interesting. I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of sights, of sensations, of emotions. I enjoyed the storytelling, the past and present timelines given in alternating bits, each continually bringing new meaning to the other.
Migrations managed to evoke both profound sadness and striking hopefulness, which is no small feat. I became so emotionally invested in the main character's journey, in her past, in her future; I was truly desperate for the terrible things being hinted at in each not to end up being true (whether they do or not I won't spoil).
Oh, the sadness in this story just builds and builds, to the point where it feels like nothing is left at all to hope for. And yet, despite everything, meaning is still found, joy is still discovered, and life somehow endures.
This book just beautifully encapsulates the unwinnable struggle between our innate desire for freedom, for escape and for endless possibility, against the equally strong desire for safety, for love, and for commitment. And above all, I believe this book is an ode to the resilience of life. Its ability to endure and come back from the worst things imaginable. The message I got from this story is this: If you are still alive, there is still hope.
I enjoyed everything about this book. It was a truly gratifying experience.
Sidenote: I listened to the audiobook version, read by Barrie Kreinik, and it was a fantastic reading.
I enjoyed the world building of Migrations' dark future setting, where human induced ecological disaster has brought most animal species to extinction or the brink of it. I enjoyed the characters, who all felt distinct, genuine and interesting. I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of sights, of sensations, of emotions. I enjoyed the storytelling, the past and present timelines given in alternating bits, each continually bringing new meaning to the other.
Migrations managed to evoke both profound sadness and striking hopefulness, which is no small feat. I became so emotionally invested in the main character's journey, in her past, in her future; I was truly desperate for the terrible things being hinted at in each not to end up being true (whether they do or not I won't spoil).
Oh, the sadness in this story just builds and builds, to the point where it feels like nothing is left at all to hope for. And yet, despite everything, meaning is still found, joy is still discovered, and life somehow endures.
This book just beautifully encapsulates the unwinnable struggle between our innate desire for freedom, for escape and for endless possibility, against the equally strong desire for safety, for love, and for commitment. And above all, I believe this book is an ode to the resilience of life. Its ability to endure and come back from the worst things imaginable. The message I got from this story is this: If you are still alive, there is still hope.
I enjoyed everything about this book. It was a truly gratifying experience.
Sidenote: I listened to the audiobook version, read by Barrie Kreinik, and it was a fantastic reading.