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A review by kamrynkoble
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood
5.0
This book is often likened to Lolita, but the author herself states that "Nabokov's prose is gorgeous, but the story itself is a reminder of how easy it is for adults to take advantage of unprotected children. Despite being thane titular character, Lolita is an afterthought whose happiness is of little interest to the narcissistic narrator." All the Ugly and Wonderful Things does detail the relationship of a child and an adult man. But Greenwood's strength lies in her ability to draw the reader in and make them doubt everything they thought they felt about the issue.
This book is particularly interesting in its use of narration. The main characters have the most pages, but some chapters are written in the voice of fleeting people we never meet again. It's skillfully done, widens the scope of the story, and shows how real life isn't trapped in a box of one perspective.
To those offended by the subject matter, I urge you to read the brilliant interview with the author in the back of the novel. Not all fiction is meant to be Hallmark Little Women life lessons. The human experience isn't black and white. No matter what you believe to be true, there are no absolutes. For these reasons, literature such as this is crucial.
This story is an effortless page turner that walks the balance of beautiful prose without bogged-down floral fluff. It's engaging and thought-provoking and all-too-relevant. It's real.
This book is particularly interesting in its use of narration. The main characters have the most pages, but some chapters are written in the voice of fleeting people we never meet again. It's skillfully done, widens the scope of the story, and shows how real life isn't trapped in a box of one perspective.
To those offended by the subject matter, I urge you to read the brilliant interview with the author in the back of the novel. Not all fiction is meant to be Hallmark Little Women life lessons. The human experience isn't black and white. No matter what you believe to be true, there are no absolutes. For these reasons, literature such as this is crucial.
This story is an effortless page turner that walks the balance of beautiful prose without bogged-down floral fluff. It's engaging and thought-provoking and all-too-relevant. It's real.