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oblemons 's review for:
Model Home
by Rivers Solomon
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I keep oscillating between a 3.75 and a 4 star rating. Meaning I enjoyed the book, I don't regret the read, I definitely would recommend to some folks, but I don't know that I'll be re-reading soon or adding to my physical library.
I loved the tone and style-- it makes me want to read more by this author. I was completely engrossed from start to finish. I was not surprised by the reveal but knowing what the book was leading to didn't stop me from reading.
Okay onto spoiler territory and where my thoughts get a little muddied:
I was a little disappointed that there was no preternatural element to the book. But like, people are the real monsters. I think I just really like supernatural horror so my complaint is completely personal and not at all a negative reflection of the book.
I am grappling with discomfort this book brought up. I'm always kind of bummed when I read a book with a trans MC and their narrative features sexual abuse/sex as self-harm. I know that this is a reality of trans people and it is horrifying so it makes sense to see it in horror but as a trans person, it makes me sad that this is so often what the trans experience is reduced to in the genre. Now, that is not to say that this author did a bad job or even that they are responsible for changing this pattern! This was the story they had to tell and they did it tenderly and honestly. This is, again, a personal reaction. I want to review this book and this story within the context of itself; it's not fair to hold it to a certain standard because there aren't a million trans horror stories and therefore, a wider myriad of horrors faced by trans MCs. It may take time and distance for me to give a more fair review. I'm going to take that time and try to read the book again at a later date .
That last bit being said, if I am ever going to revisit this book, I'll read it instead of listen to the audiobook. The narrator was AMAZING (will be looking up what other audiobooks they narrate) but I'd like the chance to read through at my pace and sit with passages longer.
I loved the tone and style-- it makes me want to read more by this author. I was completely engrossed from start to finish. I was not surprised by the reveal but knowing what the book was leading to didn't stop me from reading.
Okay onto spoiler territory and where my thoughts get a little muddied:
I am grappling with discomfort this book brought up. I'm always kind of bummed when I read a book with a trans MC and their narrative features sexual abuse/sex as self-harm. I know that this is a reality of trans people and it is horrifying so it makes sense to see it in horror but as a trans person, it makes me sad that this is so often what the trans experience is reduced to in the genre. Now, that is not to say that this author did a bad job or even that they are responsible for changing this pattern! This was the story they had to tell and they did it tenderly and honestly. This is, again, a personal reaction. I want to review this book and this story within the context of itself; it's not fair to hold it to a certain standard because there aren't a million trans horror stories and therefore, a wider myriad of horrors faced by trans MCs. It may take time and distance for me to give a more fair review. I'm going to take that time and try to read the book again at a later date
That last bit being said, if I am ever going to revisit this book, I'll read it instead of listen to the audiobook. The narrator was AMAZING (will be looking up what other audiobooks they narrate) but I'd like the chance to read through at my pace and sit with passages longer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent