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ludwigvandingus's review against another edition
damn ok
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, and Death
pacifickat's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
An extremely well written and well conceived novella. Had me on the edge of my seat with dread and forboding.
I found Laverne's self-depricating inner monologue both endearing and a bit sad. We don't often get sci-fi main characters in their 60's, and I found her plucky, stubborn, and painfully honest nature to be an intersting filter through which to receive the narrative of the book. She is critical of others, but more critical of herself. She also truly seems to care about other people in spite of claiming the opposite, and ascribes selfishness to her own self-sacrificial actions. In this way, her subjective analysis of her own internal inclinations stands in stark opposition to the objective goodness of her external actions. Her wishes to be more brave, less selfish, and less afraid motivate her to actually do brave, selfless, and gutsy things.
This was so well written an imaginative. The length of the story was also fitting. I enjoyed my time with Laverne, but was glad to leave this world when it was done, as is usually the case with horror/suspense.
I found Laverne's self-depricating inner monologue both endearing and a bit sad. We don't often get sci-fi main characters in their 60's, and I found her plucky, stubborn, and painfully honest nature to be an intersting filter through which to receive the narrative of the book. She is critical of others, but more critical of herself. She also truly seems to care about other people in spite of claiming the opposite, and ascribes selfishness to her own self-sacrificial actions. In this way, her subjective analysis of her own internal inclinations stands in stark opposition to the objective goodness of her external actions. Her wishes to be more brave, less selfish, and less afraid motivate her to actually do brave, selfless, and gutsy things.
This was so well written an imaginative. The length of the story was also fitting. I enjoyed my time with Laverne, but was glad to leave this world when it was done, as is usually the case with horror/suspense.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, and Toxic friendship
Euthanasia, mercy killings, memory issueswillow_the_wisp's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, and Blood
schnaucl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
4.5
I enjoyed it, although the more I think about it the less reliable I find the narrator.
I can't imagine how terrifying it would be if any time you came into contact with water it cost you some of your memory. And how long would it take to figure out that's what happened, especially if you lived alone?
While I understand why people would want to try and leave, their plan to do so was never quite clear to me other than maybe they can't shoot all of us? Except it seemed like they all expected to make it past the military barricade but without explaining how. Or what they planned to do once they were past it. It's set in modern times and I would imagine it's hard to prove you are who you say you are without some kind of proof. I get that a lack of birth certificate for the child isn't the most pressing concern in that situation but eventually it'll come up.
I also wonder how many people deliberately stood outside in the rain and deliberately lost themselves, particularly if they thought they couldn't make it past the military blockade. Would that be better or worse than being shot? The death would certainly be prolonged and death by starvation isn't pretty but if you're not aware enough to know that's what's happening or to be aware of your hunger maybe that's kinder?
As to the ending, if time is of the essence, I'm not sure it makes sense that she let the child cry for her mother for three minutes. It certainly makes for a dramatic end though. I'm also wondering how old the kid was supposed to be when she was allowed to read the journal/diary.
Anyway, it's a really interesting concept.
I can't imagine how terrifying it would be if any time you came into contact with water it cost you some of your memory. And how long would it take to figure out that's what happened, especially if you lived alone?
I also wonder how many people deliberately stood outside in the rain and deliberately lost themselves, particularly if they thought they couldn't make it past the military blockade. Would that be better or worse than being shot? The death would certainly be prolonged and death by starvation isn't pretty but if you're not aware enough to know that's what's happening or to be aware of your hunger maybe that's kinder?
As to the ending, if time is of the essence, I'm not sure it makes sense that she let the child cry for her mother for three minutes. It certainly makes for a dramatic end though. I'm also wondering how old the kid was supposed to be when she was allowed to read the journal/diary.
Anyway, it's a really interesting concept.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Murder
directorpurry's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Gaslighting
emburs's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Gun violence
grimdark_dad's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Kidnapping, and Grief
zigzagzmak's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.5
An apocalyptic amnesia takes over Aloisville, and Laverne isn't sure when it started or whether the world outside of town is safe. She knows that someone is airdropping food and keeping the electricity and water going and that armed guards dressed in rubber line the barricaded town. She forgets these details often but her many notes on the walls of her house remind her the important details, until she starts a journal. Nothing But the Rain reminded me of my creative writing teachers encouraging stories that allow their readers to know more about what's going on than the characters do. Salman does a fabulous job of making that a narrative imperative of the story. By its nature, a diary written by someone suffering constant bouts of amnesia means you will piece together and remember things the main character cannot. Despite knowing more than Laverne, Salman does not allow you to know everything, leaving some key details up to you to decide, which is a difficult line to walk as an author, and one that Salman walks brilliantly. You know just enough to keep it interesting and not too much to be bored with the world.
Salman tells Laverne's story in three distinct but intriguing sections that together beg the question of whether a crisis situation where you at least know your basic needs will be met is preferable to the unknowns of freedom. Salman quietly answers the question early on: "Turns out we can't just stay inside all day. Not even in the middle of the apocalypse," but still leaves you wondering what will come next as details small and large are forgotten.
This novella is a quick and interesting read, which I recommend for anyone who enjoys reading stories about memory, forgetting, and apocalypses of unknown origin.
Thank you to Tor Publishing Group and Netgalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
Salman tells Laverne's story in three distinct but intriguing sections that together beg the question of whether a crisis situation where you at least know your basic needs will be met is preferable to the unknowns of freedom. Salman quietly answers the question early on: "Turns out we can't just stay inside all day. Not even in the middle of the apocalypse," but still leaves you wondering what will come next as details small and large are forgotten.
This novella is a quick and interesting read, which I recommend for anyone who enjoys reading stories about memory, forgetting, and apocalypses of unknown origin.
Thank you to Tor Publishing Group and Netgalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death