A review by nixiethepixie
Private Rites by Julia Armfield

mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Listened as an audiobook. Was very excited for this after Our Wives Under the Sea - but felt myself quite perplexed by this book, and not necessarily in a good way. I was drawn to the concept and world building, Armfield creates some beautiful, watery and claustrophobic prose. But ultimately I found myself confused and bored by the sister relationships and their family dysfunction. I did enjoy the inherent queerness strung throughout the characters and story, but perhaps felt like overall the book was covering too many stories and perspectives that I wasn’t sure where to place my attention.