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A review by pm_me_book_recs
The Genesis of Misery by Neon Yang
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I listened to this audiobook with Libro.fm
I have such mixed feelings about The Genesis of Misery, it was somewhat difficult for me to get through. I think this builds to be a critique of church, but it lands there fumbling. It was exciting to have a scifi written and narrated by non-binary folks, with queer and gender non-conforming characters. In general, I liked the first quarter, struggled through the whole middle, and then was drawn in and carried on by anger and confusion in the last quarter- which is when I realized where the religious commentary was going. To be transparent, I'm all in for religious criticism and picking apart zealots. So for someone anti-church, the language used (belaboriously) is painfully formal and very tiring. The use of characters full names and titles gets cumbersome. There is some strong violence in this as well, physical and psychological, I reccomend looking up content warnings for those less inclined to exposure to violence. The author did a fantastic job of showcasing the psychological derangement that happens with intense, xenophobic, religious beliefs. It was uncomfortable to experience. From what the reader gleams, morally grey is the spine of all characters and their perception (which I appreciate).
Misery starts out sly, survivalist gritty, untrusting, and certain of her mental state/condition. They don't trust what has been said of their life and purpose, not after sign after sign after sign, until they suddenly believe with their entire and whole existence, to the point that they think they are an arbiter of a gods justice and will. If you're aware this is a retelling of Joan of Arc, you know how this is gonna go.
There are some uncomfortable sex scenes that feel a bit forced- there wasn't any indicator that anyone was queer until there was sex, and seemed be necessary to prove they were queer? And maybe that's tinged by my demi-sexual need for an emotional connection for romance/sex. Which leads to my next complaint. The character building outside of the MC is nearly non-existent until that last quarter. It seemed like every non-MC was walled off and unapproachable, if anything was asked or brought up we get the moody huff and walk away like HOW DARE YOU ASK ME ANYTHING PERSONAL EVER. The only characters that break this are either after sex, or at the point the plot can no longer avoid it. I'm not sure if this is also intended as misogynist, zealot commentary, or just how the author writes? And the plot, big sigh. The plot is single coursed, with a little "ah, hah!" at the end that is fully enraging.
I will probably read Neon Yangs other books, this hasn't turned me away from their style. The content was not what I built myself up to expect, the tone of narrative chaffed me, but the genesis was well displayed and rightfully infuriating.
I have such mixed feelings about The Genesis of Misery, it was somewhat difficult for me to get through. I think this builds to be a critique of church, but it lands there fumbling. It was exciting to have a scifi written and narrated by non-binary folks, with queer and gender non-conforming characters. In general, I liked the first quarter, struggled through the whole middle, and then was drawn in and carried on by anger and confusion in the last quarter- which is when I realized where the religious commentary was going. To be transparent, I'm all in for religious criticism and picking apart zealots. So for someone anti-church, the language used (belaboriously) is painfully formal and very tiring. The use of characters full names and titles gets cumbersome. There is some strong violence in this as well, physical and psychological, I reccomend looking up content warnings for those less inclined to exposure to violence. The author did a fantastic job of showcasing the psychological derangement that happens with intense, xenophobic, religious beliefs. It was uncomfortable to experience. From what the reader gleams, morally grey is the spine of all characters and their perception (which I appreciate).
Misery starts out sly, survivalist gritty, untrusting, and certain of her mental state/condition. They don't trust what has been said of their life and purpose, not after sign after sign after sign, until they suddenly believe with their entire and whole existence, to the point that they think they are an arbiter of a gods justice and will. If you're aware this is a retelling of Joan of Arc, you know how this is gonna go.
There are some uncomfortable sex scenes that feel a bit forced- there wasn't any indicator that anyone was queer until there was sex, and seemed be necessary to prove they were queer? And maybe that's tinged by my demi-sexual need for an emotional connection for romance/sex. Which leads to my next complaint. The character building outside of the MC is nearly non-existent until that last quarter. It seemed like every non-MC was walled off and unapproachable, if anything was asked or brought up we get the moody huff and walk away like HOW DARE YOU ASK ME ANYTHING PERSONAL EVER. The only characters that break this are either after sex, or at the point the plot can no longer avoid it. I'm not sure if this is also intended as misogynist, zealot commentary, or just how the author writes? And the plot, big sigh. The plot is single coursed, with a little "ah, hah!" at the end that is fully enraging.
I will probably read Neon Yangs other books, this hasn't turned me away from their style. The content was not what I built myself up to expect, the tone of narrative chaffed me, but the genesis was well displayed and rightfully infuriating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Gore, Violence, Religious bigotry, Mental illness, Sexual content, Torture, War, Xenophobia, and Death
Moderate: Drug use, Death of parent, Alcohol, Drug abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Confinement