Reviews

I reacted to this book. Strongly reacted to it.

Immediately after reading it, I figured 2 stars. Then gave it the usual 1 star bump for its lesbian author.

But the fact that I reacted so strongly after staying up half the night then picking it up again as soon as I woke up made me think twice. And I have come to give it 4 stars

Synopsis
Priya moves between her present troubled relationship with her wife, Alex, and memories of those who came BA (Before Alex). Her memories center primarily around Prakash, a close university friend, who clearly loved her and pushed the boundaries of their friendship as often as possible. The big question is how will Priya respond when faced with the opportunity to see Prakash again. Will it help her relationship with Alex? Or hurt it?

Pros:
It's a page-turner and a quick read.

I love reading in depth about relationships and the people in them. And this is where the Polar Vortex really shines for me. For example, it's been 6 years since Priya was last in contact with Prakash but for the first three quarters of the book it feels like he is still present.

It is set (I believe) partially in Prince Edward County, a beautiful island in Lake Ontario that I know fairly well. I was able to enter into the scenery.

Cons:
Priya falls victim to the patriarchy from the first page to the last. You could argue that it is in fact the choices she makes that lead her to the outcome of the book but I will never give the patriarchy the benefit of doubt.

TW
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There is a rape scene with no trigger warning. Given, he cums on her leg without even penetrating her but this was still a troubling scene in the middle of a troubling book for me.

I don't want to read about women who let men walk all over them over and over. Women who don't have enough self respect to be vulnerable with life partners.

tembae's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

claireoosthoek's review against another edition

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emotional tense medium-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

3.5

Content Warnings

sopuberfungirl's review against another edition

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4.0

I really enjoyed this one. It's intimate, letting you learn about the characters (in their 50s, lesbian couple) through their inner monologue and thoughts of each other. Emotionally violent, giving you the inside story of their withholding, rationalizations, defensiveness, and reliving painful memories. A diverse story told by a woman of colour in a queer relationship. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the tiny voice in my mind that would pop up in my mind "just talk to her about it!" As the observer always easy to say, but it did takes me out of it as I had to remind myself that these were women in their 50s, not their 20s. It could be a generational thing too, I suppose the idea of talking about and working through insecurities together isn't as common as I assume.

adam613's review against another edition

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4.0

"It has begun to seem to me that no matter how long you know someone, or how intimately, you can't really fully know them. What then doesn't intimate mean?"

Polar Vortex had me swept up from the seductive opening dream sequence, through the insecurities and anxieties of Priya and her relationship with Alexandra, through to a finish that left me feeling all sorts of acute sensations. This book is a very real and human story about the confusing nature of intimacy and it left me having shaken me at my core. How Shani Mootoo weaves seamlessly through topics such as immigrant experience, memory, and the minutiae of daily existence sharing a space with another human being is purely exceptional. With the main characters all in middle age, it leaves so much ground for the author to explore all sorts of relations and remembrances.

"Surely all people have a little lockbox, if not a full closet that contains shards of shame."

Polar Vortex by Shani Mootoo is easily one of my favourite books of 2021. Having finished it on New Year's Eve, I would definitely put it in my Top Reads of 2021. As an adult in my 40s, this story hit really close to home in all sorts of ways. Boy, am I glad I decided to read this.

"When the larger world around you does not support your kind of love, it can be hard to nurture and sustain a relationship. It's hard to stay in when things get rough and tough; you don't see your problems as common ones that any relationship might come up against."

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