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bookishbutch's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Grief, Hate crime, and Murder
spcandybars's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
This book was such a fantastically written exploration of the tie between dreams and consciousness. The tension is palpable as Hilton’s life appears to branch off just to be yanked back into place again and I felt so engaged with his childhood and grandmother. In the last third, things began picking up as Hilton got new insights and I honestly think it was the perfect time to pick up the pace. The end is devastating but cathartic in a way that could only be achieved with a very limited set of options.
The first third of the book contains very graphic sexual content including a depiction of explicit infidelity but it’s very distinct when the narrative departs from that highly sexualized place as it’s one of the first confirmations we have to begin understanding how Hilton’s perceptions of reality are slipping.
The first third of the book contains very graphic sexual content including a depiction of explicit infidelity but it’s very distinct when the narrative departs from that highly sexualized place as it’s one of the first confirmations we have to begin understanding how Hilton’s perceptions of reality are slipping.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence and Racism
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Stalking
nannahnannah's review against another edition
5.0
I feel like I’ve heard Tananarive Due’s name around, and now I know why. Her writing and characterization are superb. I had to stop to take notes on some of the ways she made the main character's book-long breakdown seem so real and emotionally powerful. And in a debut! So glad this was published in the 90s, because I can read what else she’s done since then.
Representation:
- the main character and his family (as well as most of the secondary characters) are Black
- the MC’s friend is Latino
When he was a child, Hilton found his grandmother, "Nana", dead in the kitchen. After he returned with help, she was alive. But he knew she had been dead. Later, Nana sacrificed herself to save him. Now in his mid-thirties, Hilton begins to have surreal nightmares, his family has a stalker sending racist death threats, and Hilton dissolves into paranoia and delusion. His family thinks he needs help, but he’s convinced there's something supernatural behind his breakdown … and it all comes back to Nana.
This book kept me up until three in the morning. Regularly. I am stunned that it has so few reviews. Everything -- every last detail -- is carefully planned to make the reading experience more immersive. Hilton’s PoV as a child is written in a very simplistic way. I thought perhaps the author was a little uncertain handling her debut, but when his adult PoV became more sophisticated, I realized Tananarive Due knew what she was doing. Everything is deliberate (another, more common example being the dream scenes written in present tense while everything else is in past).
I’m not even sure what more there is to say, except that this kept me on the edge of my seat, even during scenes I normally wouldn’t like (i.e. scenes involving cheating on one’s partner). As Hilton slowly felt like he was losing his grip on reality, I felt lost with him. So, so well done.
I cannot wait to read what else this author has written.
Representation:
- the main character and his family (as well as most of the secondary characters) are Black
- the MC’s friend is Latino
When he was a child, Hilton found his grandmother, "Nana", dead in the kitchen. After he returned with help, she was alive. But he knew she had been dead. Later, Nana sacrificed herself to save him. Now in his mid-thirties, Hilton begins to have surreal nightmares, his family has a stalker sending racist death threats, and Hilton dissolves into paranoia and delusion. His family thinks he needs help, but he’s convinced there's something supernatural behind his breakdown … and it all comes back to Nana.
This book kept me up until three in the morning. Regularly. I am stunned that it has so few reviews. Everything -- every last detail -- is carefully planned to make the reading experience more immersive. Hilton’s PoV as a child is written in a very simplistic way. I thought perhaps the author was a little uncertain handling her debut, but when his adult PoV became more sophisticated, I realized Tananarive Due knew what she was doing. Everything is deliberate (another, more common example being the dream scenes written in present tense while everything else is in past).
I’m not even sure what more there is to say, except that this kept me on the edge of my seat, even during scenes I normally wouldn’t like (i.e. scenes involving cheating on one’s partner). As Hilton slowly felt like he was losing his grip on reality, I felt lost with him. So, so well done.
I cannot wait to read what else this author has written.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Child abuse
also: unrealty (graphic); and re: racism - it's anti-black racism & hate crimes (the threat of one becomes part of the main plot)ofbooksandechos's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Death
Moderate: Bullying, Stalking, Medical content, and Infidelity
Minor: Child abuse and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Additional content warnings: mentions of HIV and death by AIDSamandaquotidianbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.75
I love how this book plays with the idea of what is real and what isn’t. I do wish we had more concrete explanations for what is happening to Hilton, but that might be clearer upon rereading. Hilton was a complex character and oftentimes unlikable. But he and the other characters were very well drawn. I’m eager to read more by Due!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Death and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Child abuse
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