Scan barcode
A review by shelby1994
Magma by Thora Hjörleifsdóttir
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
TW: Sexual Assault, Depression, Self Harm, Abuse
I don't know what I was thinking, reading this right after "Detransition, Baby." Both of these books were so raw you could get salmonella just from flicking through them.
But honestly, I've been so behind on my reading and I was dying to be able to squeeze in something for "Women in Translation" month, and this was such a short book that it seemed perfect. Always be careful of thing that seem too good to be true. Yes, you could easily finish this book in an hour or two, but the entire time you'll be reading it you'll be squirming uncomfortably. Magma shows us the fragments of a young woman's thoughts as she goes through an emotionally abusive relationship. You're shoved into hurt after hurt, until the hurt takes on a sticky, lingering feeling that you can't wash off.
I think that the format of this book really lent itself to showcasing emotional abuse; the quick snips of Lilja's give you just enough to draw you in before the scene snaps closed and you're left cold and isolated, much like how Lijla feels in her relationship. My only real complaint is that I think the book would have been more effective if we could have seen what drew Lilja this man in the first place. By the time we meet him, he is already a permanent fixture in her life and any charm he may have once had has completely worn off, leaving it hard to understand why the relationship formed in the beginning.
Would definitely recommend this to fans of "Normal People," people who enjoy reading other people's diaries, or anyone who'd like to fit in a book to round out Women in Translation Month
I don't know what I was thinking, reading this right after "Detransition, Baby." Both of these books were so raw you could get salmonella just from flicking through them.
But honestly, I've been so behind on my reading and I was dying to be able to squeeze in something for "Women in Translation" month, and this was such a short book that it seemed perfect. Always be careful of thing that seem too good to be true. Yes, you could easily finish this book in an hour or two, but the entire time you'll be reading it you'll be squirming uncomfortably. Magma shows us the fragments of a young woman's thoughts as she goes through an emotionally abusive relationship. You're shoved into hurt after hurt, until the hurt takes on a sticky, lingering feeling that you can't wash off.
I think that the format of this book really lent itself to showcasing emotional abuse; the quick snips of Lilja's give you just enough to draw you in before the scene snaps closed and you're left cold and isolated, much like how Lijla feels in her relationship. My only real complaint is that I think the book would have been more effective if we could have seen what drew Lilja this man in the first place. By the time we meet him, he is already a permanent fixture in her life and any charm he may have once had has completely worn off, leaving it hard to understand why the relationship formed in the beginning.
Would definitely recommend this to fans of "Normal People," people who enjoy reading other people's diaries, or anyone who'd like to fit in a book to round out Women in Translation Month
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Self harm
Moderate: Sexual assault