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tay_af's reviews
451 reviews
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
emotional
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Happy Couple by Naoise Dolan
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
An enjoyable read, but not quite as strong as Dolan’s previous writing. I think some of the formal decisions detracted from the story rather than adding to it. The characters were complex and interesting, and had very distinct voices.
Night Watch by Terry Pratchett
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Kuang’s literary debut takes on the narrative lens of the story’s villain. By making June/Juniper the main character, the reader is in part made complicit in her racism and leaps of logic, which I think is very smart and well done for the most part. The final quarter of the book took a bit of a turn that I found particularly compelling as well, and the ending was very clever.
At times, however, the pacing felt off and the middle of the book dragged in some ways. I felt, too, that June tended occasionally toward a caricature of a racist white woman toward the end. That isn’t to say she seemed inaccurate at all, but it seemed to me the strength in the choice of perspective was the complicity and front row seat to the way someone who considers themselves not racist, and liberal/woke can rationalise in such a way. At some points, though, June’s racism became so overt that the readers who should be feeling uncomfortable would likely instantly be able to disidentify from her, mentally absolving themselves of any complicity by how clearly she was in the wrong. In this way, I think the novel may have been more effective with a little more subtlety. However, I also think my context may be informing that reading, as I am white and have never been on the receiving end of the racism June embodies.
Overall, a good literary debut following an incredible genre showstopper (Babel is one of my favorite books of all time). I look forward to reading what Kuang does next.
Thank you to HarperCollins for providing me with an eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
At times, however, the pacing felt off and the middle of the book dragged in some ways. I felt, too, that June tended occasionally toward a caricature of a racist white woman toward the end. That isn’t to say she seemed inaccurate at all, but it seemed to me the strength in the choice of perspective was the complicity and front row seat to the way someone who considers themselves not racist, and liberal/woke can rationalise in such a way. At some points, though, June’s racism became so overt that the readers who should be feeling uncomfortable would likely instantly be able to disidentify from her, mentally absolving themselves of any complicity by how clearly she was in the wrong. In this way, I think the novel may have been more effective with a little more subtlety. However, I also think my context may be informing that reading, as I am white and have never been on the receiving end of the racism June embodies.
Overall, a good literary debut following an incredible genre showstopper (Babel is one of my favorite books of all time). I look forward to reading what Kuang does next.
Thank you to HarperCollins for providing me with an eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.