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A review by readingthestars
Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White
5.0
I’m sort of left speechless at how much I loved this book. From the narrator’s tone and language to the gritty environment depicted, the whole novel felt very atmospheric. It was like I was there, watching everything play out, and I loved that because it didn’t feel like I was merely reading something - I was there.
I first read Hell Followed With Us by the same author a couple of years ago when it first came out and I liked it for how weird and unflinching it was. It also took place in this sort of apocalyptic society. Compound Fracture has all the same elements (maybe a little less body horror), but the setting of the story is rooted in our reality and it really helped solidify the characters and reality of it in my mind. The family and generational aspect to it all - ugh, that’s my bread and butter. The family is tight-knit, eventually understanding, and the generational rivalry and all its tension was set up so perfectly. I was in suspense when I needed to be, I gasped when things happened, and that’s all I really need from a book. You also never really know where White is going to go in his novels or who’s going to be hurt or healed next, and I love it. (But don’t worry…the dog on the cover isn’t harmed :)).
I’ve seen a lot of reviews saying this book feels like a love letter to Appalachia, the trans community, the working class, everyone who has questioned how things are run. Reading it really does feel that way. I also finished this novel and became more motivated to continue writing my own WIP, so that’s always nice. I can’t wait to check out his other book, The Spirit Bares Its Teeth, and anything he writes in the future.
Everybody - keep writing weird stuff, and keep being you!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. This review reflects my honest opinions.
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WOW WOW WOW, full RTC when I have the time.
I first read Hell Followed With Us by the same author a couple of years ago when it first came out and I liked it for how weird and unflinching it was. It also took place in this sort of apocalyptic society. Compound Fracture has all the same elements (maybe a little less body horror), but the setting of the story is rooted in our reality and it really helped solidify the characters and reality of it in my mind. The family and generational aspect to it all - ugh, that’s my bread and butter. The family is tight-knit, eventually understanding, and the generational rivalry and all its tension was set up so perfectly. I was in suspense when I needed to be, I gasped when things happened, and that’s all I really need from a book. You also never really know where White is going to go in his novels or who’s going to be hurt or healed next, and I love it. (But don’t worry…the dog on the cover isn’t harmed :)).
I’ve seen a lot of reviews saying this book feels like a love letter to Appalachia, the trans community, the working class, everyone who has questioned how things are run. Reading it really does feel that way. I also finished this novel and became more motivated to continue writing my own WIP, so that’s always nice. I can’t wait to check out his other book, The Spirit Bares Its Teeth, and anything he writes in the future.
Everybody - keep writing weird stuff, and keep being you!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. This review reflects my honest opinions.
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WOW WOW WOW, full RTC when I have the time.