A review by anxiousnachos
Build Your House Around My Body by Violet Kupersmith

dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

4.5 stars. This was so good, it was like a jigsaw puzzle of a book, full of so many different stories that all came together at the end to make sense of the mystery. It’s a horror, ghost story based on Vietnamese folklore, and these elements were so fascinating. There was also big emphasis on the impact colonisation has had on Vietnam, identity (particularly that of being a biracial Vietnamese American), mental health, and female rage, alongside the ghostly elements. Winnie and Binh’s characters were both absolutely brilliant, so brutally raw at times, I felt particularly drawn to Winnie, the biracial character in modern day Vietnam who is deeply depressed and wants to disappear. I thought this was a really fantastic debut, if you like slow, puzzle-like books, then definitely check this one out!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings