A review by savvylit
Paradise Rot by Jenny Hval

dark emotional mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This novella is absolutely ripe with lush, sensory imagery. Hval describes sounds in particular in a visceral way that is unlike any other author I have ever read. Carral and Jo's relationship develops into one big, queer fever dream. Their interactions were so sensual yet bizarre that I often wondered whether Carral actually existed. In fact, Jo herself questions the reality of her own experiences to the point where her narration becomes entirely unreliable. I truly don't know what really happened in this book and I'm fine with that. This whole novella would have been a five star read for me except for the excessive descriptions of urination, which I found jarring.
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