enbyglitch's review against another edition
5.0
Blown away by this book in ways I didn't know were possible. So many emotions and ideas are contained within just 295 pages.
I'm fascinated by the feminist subtext that certainly runs throughout the narrative, and I hope to read some analysis of the book to get a better understanding of it.
Loved the inclusion of magic(al realism) and its various implementations by men and women around Fevvers. Adored Mignon and Princess's story, as well as the adventures of the chimps and Sybil. Wonderful characters throughout!
Yet where this book lifts up women and even some queer characters in its 1899 setting, it seems to care little for most of its animals. It feels jarring for every abused woman in the narrative to find fortune, while the tigers, elephants and dogs fall violently by the wayside.
Again there's a lot of subtext and dark humor that probably passed me by on this reading, but overall I am left highly impressed!
I'm fascinated by the feminist subtext that certainly runs throughout the narrative, and I hope to read some analysis of the book to get a better understanding of it.
Loved the inclusion of magic(al realism) and its various implementations by men and women around Fevvers. Adored Mignon and Princess's story, as well as the adventures of the chimps and Sybil. Wonderful characters throughout!
Yet where this book lifts up women and even some queer characters in its 1899 setting, it seems to care little for most of its animals. It feels jarring for every abused woman in the narrative to find fortune, while the tigers, elephants and dogs fall violently by the wayside.
Again there's a lot of subtext and dark humor that probably passed me by on this reading, but overall I am left highly impressed!
louisek's review against another edition
Couldn't focus on the language at all as none of it went into my head.
chairmanbernanke's review against another edition
3.0
A story of personalities, travels, and transformations.
abigail_spencer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
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? Yes
5.0
these_thats_and_prose's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
niksasali's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
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? No
3.5
tlm1964's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0