A review by ashleymae_
Carpentaria by Alexis Wright

challenging informative slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Carpentaria is fascinating, it’s about many things but largely about land rights, environmental concerns (the mining industry), and Aboriginal spirituality. The spiritual / mythical / legendary elements were interesting and would be a great tool for a foreign reader to learn since the author intended for it to go global and so it was translated into French. For me because there was a sort of push and pull between getting to know the characters intimately and the spiritual elements & destruction of land that drive the story means it put me to sleep for half the book. There were many protagonists with their stories interlaced which also added to the disconnect, the quantity of characters. I feel the women could be developed more. The characters are heavily flawed but also very redeemable so that drove me to keep reading apart from it being a required reading for university
Expand filter menu Content Warnings