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raynatuina 's review for:
Nights In The Gardens Of Spain
by Witi Ihimaera
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I only have so much stomach/capacity for penile references, and although NITGOS surpassed that measure, Ihimaera still managed to hook this Sappho in.
I enjoyed the extended metaphor of Peter Pan and thought it brilliantly captured the supressed development of us queer folks in a cis-heteronormative society.
Also, a must-flag, Ihimaera writes through the pov of a Pākehā protag — a choice I found interesting. Although I might be looking for gold that aint there, I interpret the choice as highlighting the whiteness of queer spaces and how it can toxically exotify BBIPOC & indegenious realities.
I enjoyed the extended metaphor of Peter Pan and thought it brilliantly captured the supressed development of us queer folks in a cis-heteronormative society.
Also, a must-flag, Ihimaera writes through the pov of a Pākehā protag — a choice I found interesting. Although I might be looking for gold that aint there, I interpret the choice as highlighting the whiteness of queer spaces and how it can toxically exotify BBIPOC & indegenious realities.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Suicide