Reviews

Rich in both sensory descriptions and psychological exploration, this manages to be the rare novel to delve deeply into the characters’ interiority without feeling remote from their material world.

“Those who hope, by retiring from the world, to earn a holiday from human frailty, in themselves and others, are usually disappointed,” the narration observes. That certainly proves true for the collection of loose ends and spiritual malcontents who populate the religious community at the novel’s heart. The frailties they bring with them on their spiritual questing offer fertile ground for both humor and pathos.

tsefalofor's review against another edition

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4.0

perfectly superb final line, just like the others. she is such a speaker of beautiful truths (SBT). it’s just a story, we all* survived, it’s over, what a weird, fine summer. a lot of the religious text went over my head and i hopped sans shame, but such full characters and philosophy and funny little ways. and although of course iris has consistencies and i’ve loved this and under the net it’s funny, i keep trying to replicate my experience of a word child and failing because each one has a totally distinct narrative structure, narrative voice, character types, even the physical layout which makes me a little nervous. the sea, the sea has been the most challenging to me… i’ll return to it later, i did spend £12 (twelve pund) or thereabouts, after all

leighsneade's review against another edition

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dark funny hopeful medium-paced

4.5

yongxiang's review against another edition

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funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
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

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