Reviews

Palace of the Peacock by Wilson Harris

hughesie's review against another edition

challenging medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

lori85's review against another edition

2.0

I can see what this book was trying to do with its rejection of the conventional novel structure and linear time as aspects of colonialism, but unfortunately this has got to be some of the clunkiest prose I've ever read. Samples:

The leaves driped in the entire forest the dewy old tears of the season of drought that affected the early tropical morning and left me rigid and trembling. A pearl and half-light and arrow shot along the still veined branches. The charcoal memory of the hour lifed as a curtain rises upon the light of an eternal design. (Chapter 6)

The cross she had forgiven and forgotten in an earlier dream of distant centuries and a returning to the Siberian unconscious pilgrimage in the straits where life had possessed and abandoned at the same time the apprehension of a facile beginning and ending. (Chapter 7)

Yeesh.

petekeeley's review against another edition

challenging mysterious medium-paced

3.0

entvapparat's review against another edition

challenging 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? It's complicated

2.5

saraheholtom's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

fermentedsorcerer's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Colonisation

Moderate: Rape

bluelilyblue's review

4.0

wow this is poetry!!

phoebe912's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective tense 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? Yes

4.5

gmp's review against another edition

challenging slow-paced

3.75

mmillerb's review against another edition

5.0

written in sleepless reverie, surely!