A review by c3poth3dr0id
The Past Is Red by Catherynne M. Valente

adventurous challenging dark funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I love unreliable narrators and Tetley is just that. It’s clear that the climate destruction of human civilization has taken a toll on her mental health and sanity, as is the case with the rest of humanity that survives. Often, the meandering stream of consciousness was hard to follow. There were parts where I wasn’t sure what was happening, but I decided to chalk it up to the unreliability of a narrator who is hated by most of the remaining population in Garbagetown. 
There is excellent commentary about capitalism, consumerism, ecology, and anarchy in the midst of learning about the daily life of Garbagetown. I appreciated all the glimpses into the past of the fuckwits and their catastrophic desire to consume.