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booksthatburn's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
I am familiar with framing devices in short story collections, but the second time "Absolution" appeared I was surprised because I thought it had been a one-off story of a person navigating a relationship and the possibility that it wasn’t quite what he wanted. Then, a couple of stories later, "Absolution" appeared again with the next chapter of his life. It formed a refrain, a transformational core, running through the heart of this collection, allowing for a slow unfolding and twisting of story in a single character. I let each of the various segments of what eventually is her life get to stand alone, having room to breathe, allowing for a transformation across decades in a way that would normally be harder to get across in a short story. There are many ways of being trans, and of being a trans woman. Most of these stories focus on trans women navigating relationships and interpersonal interactions in a way that’s very focused on their underlying thoughts and feelings to whatever degree they’re able to process or express them. Some stories take place over years or even decades, and others occur in just a few days.
Some of the stories convey the shifting weirdness of existing in a body that changes in ways which other people aren’t expecting, and the range of reactions to that reality. People living lives that are shaped by this thing that they have in common, told in a manner that allows for meandering meandering and blurriness around the edges. This is an absorbing and fascinating collection, and I highly recommend it.
Some of the stories convey the shifting weirdness of existing in a body that changes in ways which other people aren’t expecting, and the range of reactions to that reality. People living lives that are shaped by this thing that they have in common, told in a manner that allows for meandering meandering and blurriness around the edges. This is an absorbing and fascinating collection, and I highly recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Grief, Cursing, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Violence, Eating disorder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Dysphoria, Death, Toxic friendship, Homophobia, Drug use, Self harm, Transphobia, Lesbophobia, and Sexual assault
Minor: Suicide, Death of parent, Rape, Vomit, and War
"Hazel and Christopher" - Moderate CW for grief, sexual content, alcohol, alcoholism, homophobia, transphobia, lesbophobia, violence. Minor CW for vomit, suicide, parental death, death. "Absolution" - Moderate CW for cursing, sexual content, sexual assault, homophobia, transphobia, alcohol, vomit, drug use. "Perfect Places" - Graphic CW for sexual content. Moderate CW for dysmorphia, dysphoria, transphobia. Minor CW for vomit. “Couldn’t Hear You Talk Anymore” - Moderate CW for transphobia, misgendering, alcohol, eating disorder, self harm, suicide attempt. “Rose City, City of Roses” - Moderate CW for grief, sexual content, pandemic, death. “Enough Trouble” - Graphic CW for sexual content, alcohol, alcoholism. Minor CW for transphobia, war, rape.thewoodlandbookshelf's review
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Mental illness, Grief, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Alcohol, Addiction, Transphobia, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
jayisreading's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
An intimate novel that explores the messiness of gender identity, I really appreciated how Plett depicted the lives of trans women in her short stories with such care and nuance. It’s as much a celebration of being trans as it is a recognition of the struggles that come with it.
I was particularly taken to the short story, “Obsolution,” which was actually broken up into parts and told between other stories, following the protagonist’s arduous journey towards discovering herself. It was a complicated story, too, that didn’t shy away from complicated topics and how this particularly impacts trans women, ranging from gender dysphoria to toxic relationships (platonic and romantic).
Something that needs to be highlighted is that this collection is very heavy on sex content, though it’s not smut. I read all these scenes more like Plett wanting the readers (especially cis readers) to get over the discomfort of trans women having sex and that it’s as much a part of their lives as it is for others. It’s not an educational moment; it’s more a coming-to-terms moment.
Much to think about in this collection, but it’s definitely an impactful one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Dysphoria, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Rape, Suicide, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Addiction, and Homophobia
Minor: Drug use and Death
pizzasprite's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Plett is a master of creating intimate, personable characters revolving around both cozy and challenging situations. Her characters are deeply flawed, but also so lovable and sympathetic. If I have one criticism, it's that all the short stories began to blend together after a while. I think Plett's writing really shines when she carves out enough space for her characters to really flesh themselves out, such as in Little Fish. I really enjoyed the interspersed stories of Vera, and almost wish the whole book had been just that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Addiction, Alcoholism, Deadnaming, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Religious bigotry, and Vomit
liteartha's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
- 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 was a gem. casey plett's an absolute stunner at crafting intimate, personal, and organic stories. all focused on the lives of trans women across canada and several US states, each story felt so incredibly grounded in both setting and each character's personal voice.
on a structural level, i was a particular fan of the way this collection was pieced together with certain stories broken into parts that were interspersed throughout the book and others in succinct single doses. i'm not sure i've ever encountered that before but i'd be very happy to encounter it again. the audiobook, read by the author, was also great. plett is a talented reader and truly brings her characters and prose to life.
leaving off with a gorgeous quote i've done by best to transcribe (though admittedly may not have quite right, given the audio format)
on a structural level, i was a particular fan of the way this collection was pieced together with certain stories broken into parts that were interspersed throughout the book and others in succinct single doses. i'm not sure i've ever encountered that before but i'd be very happy to encounter it again. the audiobook, read by the author, was also great. plett is a talented reader and truly brings her characters and prose to life.
leaving off with a gorgeous quote i've done by best to transcribe (though admittedly may not have quite right, given the audio format)
vera could never tell another breathing creature how replete her bones were, how full of undirected forgiveness.
thank you to netgalley, arsenal pulp press, and bespeak audio editions for providing this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Toxic relationship, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Vomit
wenwanzhao's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
3.75
Interesting collection of short stories about trans women. Really opens your mind and makes you think.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Sexual assault, and Dysphoria
Minor: Death of parent, Drug use, and Religious bigotry
boy_topics's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Dysphoria, Eating disorder, Grief, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Mental illness, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, and Vomit
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