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fullybooked22's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.25
I wouldn't have finished this book if it hadn't been a course book, I'm glad I did but I really was dragging myself through the first quarter/half.
The first "chapter" is 100 pages long which I found quite demotivating (I'm always one for short chapters tbh), later in the book things are broken up a little more frequently which helped this pacing
the sections from other "books" are fun and I found enjoyable
There is a lot of confusion throughout this book, you're not told much about the main characters, the residency that Mathilde finds herself on is not explained for a frustratingly long time, in order to convey HER confusion with Thought Art the reader is simultaneously confused which while effective was not encouraging as a reading experience.
From the point where Erskine-Lily is introduced (about 3/4 of the way through) I found myself enjoying everything much more, and I read the final 100 or so pages in one sitting very comfortably but at the start I couldn't read 5 pages without fidgeting and wanting to move onto something else
Overall, I wouldn't really recommend this book unless you had intentions to discuss wider themes that it covers (e.g. what is left out of historical canon/archives, exploration of people of colour through history, queerness) in which case I think it is very interesting but without these avenues for focus I think I would have found myself too overwhelmed to take anything of value in
The first "chapter" is 100 pages long which I found quite demotivating (I'm always one for short chapters tbh), later in the book things are broken up a little more frequently which helped this pacing
the sections from other "books" are fun and I found enjoyable
There is a lot of confusion throughout this book, you're not told much about the main characters, the residency that Mathilde finds herself on is not explained for a frustratingly long time, in order to convey HER confusion with Thought Art the reader is simultaneously confused which while effective was not encouraging as a reading experience.
From the point where Erskine-Lily is introduced (about 3/4 of the way through) I found myself enjoying everything much more, and I read the final 100 or so pages in one sitting very comfortably but at the start I couldn't read 5 pages without fidgeting and wanting to move onto something else
Overall, I wouldn't really recommend this book unless you had intentions to discuss wider themes that it covers (e.g. what is left out of historical canon/archives, exploration of people of colour through history, queerness) in which case I think it is very interesting but without these avenues for focus I think I would have found myself too overwhelmed to take anything of value in
graone's review against another edition
4.0
Pearly, decadent, captivating - i haven't read a book like this in ages and loved it
jellerie's review
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
ottinye's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.5
glass_chaim's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
m7mdtonsy's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
ellarobinson's review
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.25
kendra_kendra's review against another edition
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.75
imrereads's review
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow, how do I even begin to collect my thoughts about this? Brilliant, incredible, irresistible!