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A review by grandpas_farts
The Changeling by Victor LaValle
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The storyline gives me 3 stars, the writing however makes this a four star. I would love to read a romance written by LaValle and I cannot wait to read more by him! While reading, I could easily see the portrait that LaValle was was painting through his words.
The novel is broken into eight parts. Each part building more than the last. First we are met with Apollo's parents Brian and Lillian. I enjoyed reading their love story and finding out his foundation of life through his parents' story. Later we see Apollo as a young kid where he becomes an entrepreneur. Then we get into the meat of the story.
Apollo's fatherhood is immediately broken into chaotic adventure when his child is born. Despite all of this he takes everything in stride, until he can't. That's when Apollo sets out for what he feels he needs to do.
I did not understand a few things. Then again, when I finished the book with a few unanswered questions, I needed to remember this was fantasy horror novel. When Apollo is... 13? years old, he hears knocking on the door as he is taking a shower and as soon as he opens the door, the knocking stops. How? Also, water played a huge part in Apollo's trauma. The steam when Emma has him locked up. The water when he picks up the box. The steam in his nightmares. Brian tried to drown Apollo. Apollo was locked up in Rikers Island. Selling the book on water (the boat) and traveling to the witches' hideout.
Emma's friend tells the story of the photograph Emma took of herself naked implying it was connected to the third wish. In the last wish we learn Emma wanted a life of adventure. How is taking a nude picture an adventure? I thought Emma wanted the photo to be removed from the Earth or something with how I read it.
What the hell happpened when they went back to their normal life? Was the womanhunt for Emma called off? Black children do not get the same news coverage as others, so maybe people forgot she even "killed" her child. How are they going to explain Brain's reappearance to people? I guess "and they lived happily ever after" sums up other questions.
I've never watched the Apple TV show, but I'd be curious to see what's it about.
The novel is broken into eight parts. Each part building more than the last. First we are met with Apollo's parents Brian and Lillian. I enjoyed reading their love story and finding out his foundation of life through his parents' story. Later we see Apollo as a young kid where he becomes an entrepreneur. Then we get into the meat of the story.
Apollo's fatherhood is immediately broken into chaotic adventure when his child is born. Despite all of this he takes everything in stride, until he can't. That's when Apollo sets out for what he feels he needs to do.
Emma's friend tells the story of the photograph Emma took of herself naked implying it was connected to the third wish. In the last wish we learn Emma wanted a life of adventure. How is taking a nude picture an adventure? I thought Emma wanted the photo to be removed from the Earth or something with how I read it.
What the hell happpened when they went back to their normal life? Was the womanhunt for Emma called off? Black children do not get the same news coverage as others, so maybe people forgot she even "killed" her child. How are they going to explain Brain's reappearance to people? I guess "and they lived happily ever after" sums up other questions.
I've never watched the Apple TV show, but I'd be curious to see what's it about.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Child death, Blood, and Gore
Minor: Suicide