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podanotherjessi's review
challenging
reflective
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
4.0
This book was so weird, and I have no idea what to think. I'm not even sure what all was being said in this book, what the messages were. But I also enjoyed the ride. I think maybe this book was too surrealist for me, but it was written prettily.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Abortion
the_lyon_reads_tonight's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
It is clear when reading this that the author is a poet. The writing is beautiful and very lyrical. At times it felt like reading prose poetry. The story itself was challenging. I thought the bones of the story were really good and was really taking a firm swipe at colonialism, language and death. I did feel that the story needed more time to find its footing. For me, some of the concepts of the world created just didn’t get enough exposition and were confusing sometimes. But overall, really fascinating and beautiful read.
caseythecanadianlesbrarian's review against another edition
3.0
Concept-wise and on the sentence level with the writing I thought this book was doing some cool things. But overall as a narrative it left me confused. I also can't seem to get rid of my distaste for stories written in present tense? This is also one of those books that might just be too smart for me.
schomj's review against another edition
2.0
I loved the ideas and there were moments where the prose was utterly captivating. Unfortunately there were far more moments where the prose was utterly befuddling. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on the author's future work though, I think with time and better editing she could be truly great.
icarusabides's review against another edition
2.0
Two sides of a city, one bathed by the moon, the other sun, and divided by a train of the dead only one side can see. At least that's roughly how this story begins before going... somewhere. Quite where I'm not sure. It's a story that drops the reader in the deepend and leaves them to swim all the while changing what is up and what is down, what is water and what is air.
I found reading it quite hard work, there's a dreamlike quality to the writing with the very reality of the story in constant flux leaving things feeling disjointed and impenetrable. It's like wading through treacle at times and although it's entirely possible this a work of genius it just didn't work for me.
I found reading it quite hard work, there's a dreamlike quality to the writing with the very reality of the story in constant flux leaving things feeling disjointed and impenetrable. It's like wading through treacle at times and although it's entirely possible this a work of genius it just didn't work for me.
camille_catterpillar's review against another edition
4.0
Almost 4/5
The Silence of the Wilting Skin is an original, poetic tale of grief and colonization. While I admire the skill behind this type of allegoric, poetic writing, I have found it kept me a bit distanced from the narrative. Needless to say this is only a matter of stylistic preference!
The Silence of the Wilting Skin is an original, poetic tale of grief and colonization. While I admire the skill behind this type of allegoric, poetic writing, I have found it kept me a bit distanced from the narrative. Needless to say this is only a matter of stylistic preference!
circlesofflame's review against another edition
2.0
An interesting, if perhaps too short, exploration of identity and colourism; as our protagonist loses her skin and parts of herself unbeknownst to those around her as they struggle with losing parts of themselves. I would have appreciated having more time for world building, as the concept is really interesting, but the brevity and the writing style don't lend themselves to the reader caring about the characters.