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A review by mirrorslament
An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon
4.0
To be entirely frank, there were a lot of things I struggled with in this book. I couldn’t fully get into any of the characters’ headspace. I found scenes sometimes disjointed or disassociated. I was frustrated sometimes with choices characters made. But all of that is part of why I ended up completely incapable of putting this book down.
Trauma can do a lot to a person. Generational trauma even more. Solomon represented that well, to the point of discomfort. Each moment makes sense, even when it’s frustrating from a story standpoint— sometimes realistic responses don’t make for the most linear stories, sometimes trauma doesn’t make for the most likable personalities. But not every character has to be likable.
I struggle a bit to put into words how much I adored this book. When I think back on it, my mind tends to focus on how disconnected I felt, how it sometimes felt as though I were floating through the story in a haze. But in the final moments I, much like Aster, finally felt grounded.
If you’re thinking about picking this up, do so. If you have even a vague interest, beautiful writing and a compelling plot carry An Unkindness of Ghosts through the stars, to land right where it needs to be: among one of the best books I’ve read in the last five years.
Trauma can do a lot to a person. Generational trauma even more. Solomon represented that well, to the point of discomfort. Each moment makes sense, even when it’s frustrating from a story standpoint— sometimes realistic responses don’t make for the most linear stories, sometimes trauma doesn’t make for the most likable personalities. But not every character has to be likable.
I struggle a bit to put into words how much I adored this book. When I think back on it, my mind tends to focus on how disconnected I felt, how it sometimes felt as though I were floating through the story in a haze. But in the final moments I, much like Aster, finally felt grounded.
If you’re thinking about picking this up, do so. If you have even a vague interest, beautiful writing and a compelling plot carry An Unkindness of Ghosts through the stars, to land right where it needs to be: among one of the best books I’ve read in the last five years.