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brisingr's review against another edition
4.0
the writing style in this is utterly, hands-down spectacular; i think the book is worth a read for that only, let alone the beautiful odes to humanity and life.
lorettaandbooks's review against another edition
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
justinkhchen's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Part surrealist fairy tale, part documentary, and part philosophical musing on life and death, Mrs Death Misses Death is a dizzying, gut-punching literary trip unbound by traditional story structure.
Salena Godden's root in poetry is clearly evident, the rhythmic wring and clever wordplay (the book title is just a tease) are present throughout the book's entirety, and the reading experience comes across as lyrical, frank, and never self-indulgent. It is difficult summarizing Mrs Death Misses Death because of its intentional fragmentation: it's both darkly fantastical and brutally real. Told primarily through the character Wolf (who is biracial, nonbinary and possibly bipolar), the story utilizes the character's past and present as a platform, exploring gender/race reversal (what if Death is an old Black female? What if Jack the Ripper was a woman?), discrimination, mental health and openly commenting on current state of the world (refugee crisis in Europe, police brutality, COVID-19, and more).
While the constant recalling of weighty topical news strengthen many emotional moments (such as alluding to the Grenfell Tower fire as part of Wolf's family tragedy), there are a couple observational writings that feel tonally different (from the author's voice rather than any of the story characters), and come across as late additions inserted into an already finished product. Perhaps these would've been better appreciated outside the boundary of this book.
Mrs Death Misses Death is like nothing I've read recently, it's unapologetically visceral, and while it's not an escapism literature, it also manages to be not a complete downer; it challenges our perception of death (of all kinds), and voicing our collective frustration at the world's inequality. Go in with caution and expect it to linger.
Part surrealist fairy tale, part documentary, and part philosophical musing on life and death, Mrs Death Misses Death is a dizzying, gut-punching literary trip unbound by traditional story structure.
Salena Godden's root in poetry is clearly evident, the rhythmic wring and clever wordplay (the book title is just a tease) are present throughout the book's entirety, and the reading experience comes across as lyrical, frank, and never self-indulgent. It is difficult summarizing Mrs Death Misses Death because of its intentional fragmentation: it's both darkly fantastical and brutally real. Told primarily through the character Wolf (who is biracial, nonbinary and possibly bipolar), the story utilizes the character's past and present as a platform, exploring gender/race reversal (what if Death is an old Black female? What if Jack the Ripper was a woman?), discrimination, mental health and openly commenting on current state of the world (refugee crisis in Europe, police brutality, COVID-19, and more).
While the constant recalling of weighty topical news strengthen many emotional moments (such as alluding to the Grenfell Tower fire as part of Wolf's family tragedy), there are a couple observational writings that feel tonally different (from the author's voice rather than any of the story characters), and come across as late additions inserted into an already finished product. Perhaps these would've been better appreciated outside the boundary of this book.
Mrs Death Misses Death is like nothing I've read recently, it's unapologetically visceral, and while it's not an escapism literature, it also manages to be not a complete downer; it challenges our perception of death (of all kinds), and voicing our collective frustration at the world's inequality. Go in with caution and expect it to linger.
naeylana's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
kokechii's review against another edition
2.0
Another miss for me. I went enthusiastically into this because I really liked the premise, but the crossing of the written word and the poems and jumping around just bothered me by the end of it. There are some written gems, quotes, in this though, specially in the first half of the book, but the second half... Oy. But I do agree with one thing, Death should always be a woman :)
efags's review against another edition
A really fun premise with very disappointing execution. I thinn I only finished this book out of spite. Based on the blurb and the disclaimer section, I thought it would be a fantasy comedy similar to Mort. The experimental writing style instead, at times, made it feel like the unedited psychotic ramblings of someone with a lot of ideas and no through line. A real struggle to read or enjoy. Parts we well written, with good pace and enjoyable turns of phrase. Huge chunks were laboured, clunky, and a struggle to get through. I might come back and read another time, but now I know what to expect, but I probably won't. The overall message of "people are good" is nice but not well done and certainly not surprising. I have no issue with an author making a cliché but true point. I do have issues if they do it through a mix of storytelling, ramblings, and tough to read experimental poetry.
tegan91kj's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mattyyreadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nicononicotine's review against another edition
4.0
I'm really not sure how to rate this. I flew through it because the words are so easy but the themes are actually quite heavy. I will definitely reread it when another case of loss happens in my life.
macymve's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0