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riverd's reviews
83 reviews
Midnight Robber by Nalo Hopkinson
4.0
When I first started this book I was delighted by the world Nalo built. It felt like it was all I was looking for in a story. Her writing is truly beautiful, and feels almost psychedelic at times, similar to how I felt reading Sister Mine. Full of beauty, Caribbean lore, wild creatures, technology. But my heart broke 10 times over for sweet little Tan Tan, who was stolen into exile by her selfish, sexually violent, and deplorable father. Truly a man who made my stomach ill. Tan Tan’s struggle is challenging to read but I found myself in tears at the end as she seems to unify herself and find healing by embodying the poetic language and voice of the Robber Queen to share her difficult story to all. The story ends well enough, thankfully. That’s all I wanted for Tan Tan.
My fav quote from the kindest of characters Chichibud “If people ain’t share their talents and gifts with each other, the world go fall apart”
My fav quote from the kindest of characters Chichibud “If people ain’t share their talents and gifts with each other, the world go fall apart”
Discourse on Colonialism by Aimé Césaire
5.0
A beautifully written poetic slam on colonization, racism, and the apathy and violence of the bourgeois. I was really engaged with this whole piece and loved the forward and interview at the end to learn a bit more about the writer and the times he was in. I particularly loved him talking about the influence of poetry and surrealism in his work. Highly recommend this book. It was the very thing I needed to read today, where I feel gaslit by the media on current colonial violence. Would read it again.
Wise Child by Monica Furlong
4.0
I can’t believe I didn’t know about this book series! I would have loved it as a young person. I’m delighted to read the following two books.
City of Laughter by Temim Fruchter
4.0
Recommend! Initially, I assumed and really hoped it would heavily focus on the sacred clowns/fools, a subject that is very dear to me. While it did have some of that, I was delightfully surprised that the story was filled with the beauty of intergenerational connection, queerness, rituals, and Jewish folklore. I really resonated a lot with Shiva as a character, esp her desire to seek and to follow her whims and ideas to see where they take her.
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
4.0
Hah! What a wild ride! This book felt like it could be a movie you watch with friends where you would holler, throw popcorn at the screen, clap, and cackle like witches. It’s very dramatic and I love any media with a rage filled and ready to kick ass woman. Also, a polyamorous and queer triad?!
I def found myself chuckling out loud at times alone in my bedroom reading. It’s over the top in so many ways which made it feel playful but it’s also very violent at times. It was like a feminist action hero film except I was concerned about the ending quite a bit with what seems like a desire for a replication of power structures just with a woman on top. However, the epilogue had me incredible intrigued for sequel where there may be a chance to really change the systems of power in deeper ways with new and important knowledge about the creatures they were fighting. We shall see…
I def found myself chuckling out loud at times alone in my bedroom reading. It’s over the top in so many ways which made it feel playful but it’s also very violent at times. It was like a feminist action hero film except I was concerned about the ending quite a bit with what seems like a desire for a replication of power structures just with a woman on top. However, the epilogue had me incredible intrigued for sequel where there may be a chance to really change the systems of power in deeper ways with new and important knowledge about the creatures they were fighting. We shall see…
Ours by Phillip B. Williams
5.0
Beautiful surrealistic circular storytelling. Williams’ writing is visceral with descriptions filled with symbolism and meaning. I don’t know how else to describe it except that the writing didn’t feel lofty or light but grounded and hitting the body like a drum. I also listened to the book and the narrator is incredible, adding so much to the already potent storytelling.
The first half of this book is very engaging but I’ll admit I started to feel a bit stuck after Francis’ arrival into town. However, after a while, I realized Ours and its inhabitants were also stuck in many ways at that point. Like, lost in a dreams where time is slippery. So I think this may just be the genius of the writer. Perhaps I/we am meant to feel what they were going through? Stuck in time, waiting, unsure of each other, what it all means, and what is coming next.
The relationship and love between Justice and Luther Philip is one of my favorite parts of the book. They were so generous and real with each other even in their hardest moments. Justice’s personal story made me weep multiple times. It may be the most beautiful and heart wrenching storytelling about trauma and healing I’ve ever read.
Overall, this is an incredible book and I recommend to those who enjoy long stories.
Here is one of my fav quotes (so many good ones!) that draws upon the connection between Justice and Luther Phillip and the connection of the heart and hands:
“People leave too fast to love them and it hurts, right here” Luther Phillip touched his chest
“I got you” Justice said and slid his hand under Luther Philip’s
They laid down and fell asleep that way, feeling the one heart break and reform beneath their two hands.
The first half of this book is very engaging but I’ll admit I started to feel a bit stuck after Francis’ arrival into town. However, after a while, I realized Ours and its inhabitants were also stuck in many ways at that point. Like, lost in a dreams where time is slippery. So I think this may just be the genius of the writer. Perhaps I/we am meant to feel what they were going through? Stuck in time, waiting, unsure of each other, what it all means, and what is coming next.
The relationship and love between Justice and Luther Philip is one of my favorite parts of the book. They were so generous and real with each other even in their hardest moments. Justice’s personal story made me weep multiple times. It may be the most beautiful and heart wrenching storytelling about trauma and healing I’ve ever read.
Overall, this is an incredible book and I recommend to those who enjoy long stories.
Here is one of my fav quotes (so many good ones!) that draws upon the connection between Justice and Luther Phillip and the connection of the heart and hands:
“People leave too fast to love them and it hurts, right here” Luther Phillip touched his chest
“I got you” Justice said and slid his hand under Luther Philip’s
They laid down and fell asleep that way, feeling the one heart break and reform beneath their two hands.