Reviews

Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon

jrayereads's review against another edition

I think I could grasp the time jumps and non-linear narrative a bit better reading a physical copy instead of the audiobook. I enjoyed the writing style and the commentary on race and religious fanaticism, but felt disconnected from the plot. I would definitely try it again.

thesamesky's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.75

kweppler's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

4.0

sadhbhprice's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

lurable's review against another edition

5.0

I have found my new fav author!! I cannot wait to read more of their work. Stunning characters, beautiful language, thought-provoking narratives, I'm still mulling it over days later. Usually, I'd be jumping into a new book, but I cannot stop thinking about this one!

melby's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad

3.0

Wanted to like it more but the fungi squigged me out haha I needed more explanation before the last ten pages. 

bloodmaarked's review against another edition

challenging dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

2024 seems to be a year of being disappointed by works from authors i previously liked… first faridah àbíké-íyímídé with Where Sleeping Girls Lie, then abi daré with And So I Roar, and now rivers solomon with sorrowland. i’d anticipated reading this since having 5-starred An Unkindness of Ghostsback in 2020, but it wasn’t nearly as good. from chapter one i was unimpressed and unfortunately, that just continued throughout the remainder of the book.

✧ full review on my tumblr ✧

lpleitera's review against another edition

3.25

I’m so pleased to have finally read this book! Rivers Solomon is a powerful storyteller, and their ideas are brilliantly original. There was a lot about Sorrowland that I loved. In fact, the first 60% was pitch perfect: meditative and subversive, with gorgeous writing that reminded me of Southern Gothic masterworks. 

Unfortunately, I didn’t get along with the resolution when compared to the setup. I don’t think I’m breaking any news when I say that the “shoot-em-up”/action movie climax, to me, did not fit with the rest of the story, thematically or stylistically. BUT the final scene DID leave me feeling quite positive about the book overall.

emwoodley's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

twin2's review against another edition

challenging

4.0