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hmatt's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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
3.5
I'm not generally one for slow, introspective fiction, but Donoghue does it well and I was intrigued by the premise of this one. I feel as though the story lulls midway through, though, and I didn't get much from it after that... I'm also not sure that I like the framing of the letters from the future. That didn't work for me, although I suppose I see why the author wrote it that way. I think I would have preferred a bit of a mystery fade-to-black situation after Lister leaves with her broken leg. The end as it is felt a bit tacked-on and really jolted me as a reader out of the atmosphere the rest of the novel created. I do think others will enjoy this more deeply, it just wasn't the right pace and vibe for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Racism, Sexism, and Child death
Minor: Pregnancy, Chronic illness, and Toxic friendship
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