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lesserjoke's review
4.0
This debut novel from author Rachel Lyon paints a sickeningly captivating picture of a starving artist who accidentally captures her neighbor's nine-year-old son falling to his death in the background of a photography session. The resulting image of the dying boy is the best art she's ever made, and she knows it could launch her career — but also that the photograph would likely break his mother's heart to see it. I don't care much for the scenes when the boy's ghost appears to actually haunt the narrator, but her internal struggle over the ruthless cost of success, alongside Lyon's honest portrayal of hand-to-mouth poverty, is quietly riveting.
rinangel's review
1.0
Tried very hard to read this, the story is interesting enough but the fact that the author uses no quotation marks at all is a deal breaker for me. I can't stand having to read a paragraph three times just to find out what is dialogue and what is narration. Poor stylistic choice.
mwelbel's review
4.0
zelmani's review
slow-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? It's complicated
2.0
eawunder's review
3.0
A lot of this book kind of baffled me and my end review of it baffles me as well. I didn’t really like 3/4 of this book. I found the main character annoying and a bit insufferable. I kept waiting for something to happen, or change. A lot of the book happens in quiet conversations or internal monologues or hauntings. But the last bit, when the main character considers love and shame and the price of art, was captivating. I also think it had a relatively honest and believable portrayal of grief
lattelibrarian's review
5.0
This is probably the most shocking, relentless, and morally ambiguous books I've read all year. And I loved it. When Lu Rile gets an opportunity to make it big--like, really make it big--she wonders whether the payoff would be worth the pain of showcasing a self portrait with her neighbor's son jumping to his death in the background. But how does one exactly bring up that conversation?
Surrounded by others currently "making it" in the art world, it's no wonder that Lu decides to show her painting. She works three jobs. Her neighbors' sole occupations are as artists. To specially print out her photographs, it takes months worth of saving up money. Her neighbors can crank out art supplies and whip out checks like they're worth nothing.
So when she finally gets this opportunity, this horrible, golden opportunity, it's really no surprise. But that doesn't mean that she doesn't lose friendships along the way.
It was simply fascinating to get into Lu Rile's head and to view the world as she views it. Not only that, but I learned so much about art and photography that I never even really thought of before (which was perfect because I coincidentally got to visit lots of museums after reading this!). I'd definitely recommend this to those who like books like My Year of Rest and Relaxation, or who want something that's a little shocking, a little risque, and a little risky.
Review cross-listed here!
Surrounded by others currently "making it" in the art world, it's no wonder that Lu decides to show her painting. She works three jobs. Her neighbors' sole occupations are as artists. To specially print out her photographs, it takes months worth of saving up money. Her neighbors can crank out art supplies and whip out checks like they're worth nothing.
So when she finally gets this opportunity, this horrible, golden opportunity, it's really no surprise. But that doesn't mean that she doesn't lose friendships along the way.
It was simply fascinating to get into Lu Rile's head and to view the world as she views it. Not only that, but I learned so much about art and photography that I never even really thought of before (which was perfect because I coincidentally got to visit lots of museums after reading this!). I'd definitely recommend this to those who like books like My Year of Rest and Relaxation, or who want something that's a little shocking, a little risque, and a little risky.
Review cross-listed here!