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hollymileham's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexism, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
Minor: War
readingbrb's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Deadnaming
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, and War
deedireads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
After Sappho was my 11th read from the 2022 Booker Prize longlist, and what a unique little book! When they say it “defies genre,” they really mean it. I’m not sure that it was really for me, but I have a boatload of respect for what Selby Wynn Schwartz has pulled off.
The book reimagines the lives of real women — mostly lesbians — who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries (Sarah Bernhardt, Isadora Duncan, Virginia Woolf, etc.). Threaded throughout is a choral voice representing the amalgamation of all of them. It’s poetic, it’s imaginative — and it must have taken so much research to create.
Unless you know a lot about at least some of these women, this is definitely a “go with the flow” / “just vibes” kind of book. As per my usual, I wasn’t really able to let go and just sink into that approach. So I think I would have liked this book if I was a bit more of a history nerd. In fact, I think queer/lesbian/feminist history buffs will LOVE this one. Still, I’m impressed and can definitely see why it’s gotten critical acclaim.
Graphic: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Terminal illness and War
thebankofbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Moderate: Biphobia, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, Lesbophobia, and War
conspystery's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Ultimately, After Sappho is a powerful read, with intricate attention to detail in character and writing that lends a unique feeling of historical salience to its plot. It shines most brightly in its characters’ relationships to one another and its occasional poeticisms; the book’s themes about writing’s influence in shaping history are a natural complement to its own evocative writing. After Sappho is a bold, intelligent exploration of historical sapphic identity-- and the diversity of the lives Sappho has impacted and continues to impact today.
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, and War
Minor: Sexual content
booking_along's review against another edition
- 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? No
5.0
it was such an unexpected read in all ways a book can be.
it was an emotional read, i felt for the women, was yet again reminded that i just can’t understand our history and still continues fight of women being seen as human beings and at least as worth of being treated as such by men as men seem and deemed themselves as.
the different characters were fantastic even if i can’t really explain way?
the writing was strange but worked and it’s just… this book is an experience that you just have to be willing to go along with and let yourself be swept up in.
i honestly can not understand why this wasn’t shortlisted for the 2022 book but especially “treacle walker” was.
but k am very thankful for the long lost to have brought it to my attention since i didn’t even know about it or hear about it before that!
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Lesbophobia, and War
feebles640's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexism, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, and War
Minor: Terminal illness, Violence, and Police brutality