A review by elwirax
The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean

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

2.5

'We can only live by the light we're given, and some of us are given no light at all. What else can we do except learn to see in the dark?'


The modern setting was an interesting choice. The behaviours and customs of the book eaters evoke an almost Victorian reality, the inclusion of things such as video games and motorcycles subverts this. While this wasn't something I particularly liked, it can be interpreted as commentary on the absurdity of the presence of archaic ideals in the modern world and the subtle ways in which people are still indoctrinated into them. 

The book was very intriguing in it's exploration of themes such as misogyny, the constraints of the patriarchy, forced marriages and separations from children and the role of religion. 

However, due to its primary focus on the theme of motherhood, the book was hindered in many ways. I found it dissapointing that a book wanting its woman lead to be autonomous (Devon being queer and disobeying the rules of the patriarchal system), still managed to play into those roles. Devon's sole motivation was her children, reducing her to a self sacrificing mother while her queerness was wholly undeveloped and nothing more than a throw away comment. Aside from Devon, Hester, the brief mention of Viv and a few faceless aunts, most of the characters were male which really doesn't decentralise men from what is meant to be a feminist tale (though this can be commentary on the clutches of the patriarchy etc). 

Furthermore, the book eating wasn't really explored adequately and was chalked up to some 'alien creator' who abandoned his project. There were too many book eater characteristics mentioned that were left unexplained and served very little purpose for moving the plot further. In terms of characters, I couldn't really connect to any of them but found Jarrow quite interesting despite his lack of development. 

Overall, interesting in some aspects but bogged down by information that led nowhere and focused too much on motherhood which was not my expectation when starting the book.
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