nerdyrev's review against another edition
3.0
I went into this blind and it was a BOTM pick for me. While I enjoyed the character of Zelda, who has fetal alcohol syndrome and navigates the world openly, but with rules, it was the story which threw me for a curveball.
Zelda’s narration and worldview makes this book fun to read. It begins though with the story of her brother, who has recently broken up with his girlfriend AK47 (yes, really) and has begun connecting with a local drug distributor Toucan. It begin with. Zelda not knowing what is happening, but discovering clues along the way. This story was great and could have carried the book.
The odd digression was Zelda also wants to have sex with her boyfriend Marxie “who is like her.” Absolutely nothing wrong with this, except it begins to take over the back half of the book for several chapters, not just a couple, several. It was an odd steering in the narration flow as the rest of the main story just disappears for those chapters, except for cameos by Toucan and Hendo.
It will come back to the main story, but to me, it threw the narration off. It is probably 3.5 stars.
Zelda’s narration and worldview makes this book fun to read. It begins though with the story of her brother, who has recently broken up with his girlfriend AK47 (yes, really) and has begun connecting with a local drug distributor Toucan. It begin with. Zelda not knowing what is happening, but discovering clues along the way. This story was great and could have carried the book.
The odd digression was Zelda also wants to have sex with her boyfriend Marxie “who is like her.” Absolutely nothing wrong with this, except it begins to take over the back half of the book for several chapters, not just a couple, several. It was an odd steering in the narration flow as the rest of the main story just disappears for those chapters, except for cameos by Toucan and Hendo.
It will come back to the main story, but to me, it threw the narration off. It is probably 3.5 stars.
sargar114's review against another edition
4.0
This ended up being quite the beautiful coming of age tale. Zelda: Lover of all things Viking is a twenty one year old girl on the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum is our protagonist finding her way in the world with the help of her brother and her friends. She encounters some terrible villains but it is quite the journey she goes on. Some strong emotions along with some very heart warming moments.
hannchilada's review against another edition
4.0
Honestly, When We Were Vikings was really difficult to read at times. But in the end, I adored the message. And I think the things that made it heartbreakingly painful and endearingly meaningful were one and the same.
The more I think about it, the more When We Were Vikings feels like poetry in every facet. Despite the pain…I'm really looking forward to more from Andrew David MacDonald.
For a much more detailed review, visit my blog, Hardcovered by Hannah.
The more I think about it, the more When We Were Vikings feels like poetry in every facet. Despite the pain…I'm really looking forward to more from Andrew David MacDonald.
For a much more detailed review, visit my blog, Hardcovered by Hannah.
theshaggyshepherd's review against another edition
5.0
When We Were Vikings by Andrew David MacDonald is the story of a young woman with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) that is on a journey to live her own Viking legend, where she becomes the hero. Along the way, she learns that there are different ways to protect and care for her tribe, that villains and heroes can sometimes switch roles surprisingly quickly, and that small steps can add up to big accomplishments.
This novel is a piece of literary fiction that has put me on a quest to search out more like it. It is difficult to believe that this really is MacDonald's debut novel because it is so masterfully done. While I was reading, I continued to wonder how someone that is not affected by this himself could write the character of such an idiosyncratic person and yet make it so believable. But after reading some author interviews with the author, it now makes more sense. Seldom have I found myself so engrossed in a character's narration and rooted for them as much as I did with Zelda. I am excited to see a new Canadian author get as much attention as MacDonald has been because it is well deserved. I look forward to reading more from him.
Thank you to the author, @netgalley and @gallerybooks for sending me an egalley in exchange for an honest review. I am glad to have been able to read this novel.
This novel is a piece of literary fiction that has put me on a quest to search out more like it. It is difficult to believe that this really is MacDonald's debut novel because it is so masterfully done. While I was reading, I continued to wonder how someone that is not affected by this himself could write the character of such an idiosyncratic person and yet make it so believable. But after reading some author interviews with the author, it now makes more sense. Seldom have I found myself so engrossed in a character's narration and rooted for them as much as I did with Zelda. I am excited to see a new Canadian author get as much attention as MacDonald has been because it is well deserved. I look forward to reading more from him.
Thank you to the author, @netgalley and @gallerybooks for sending me an egalley in exchange for an honest review. I am glad to have been able to read this novel.
madsthemads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- 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
internationalkris's review against another edition
3.0
Though I had big-love for Zelda and her quest to obtain autonomy, my inner-critic turned on right away as I read this book. Throughout the story Zelda demonstrates no typical traits of a person with fetal alcohol syndrome, and reads much more as a functional individual on the autism spectrum. Of course there can be many atypical traits of FAS, but as so much of the story was connected to both the historical and present substance abuse of characters in the family, I felt that the author should have stayed more true to the disorder. Otherwise it was a page turner with a main character that everyone will be rooting for.
katrenalove's review against another edition
4.0
Zelda, the protagonist is a 21 year old woman with cognitive disabilities struggling to gain her independence. She is a beautiful living, breathing three-dimensional character with a voice is so distinctive she leaps off the page. Zelda finds inspiration in Viking legends and prepares herself to become a hero when her brother gets involved with drug dealers. MacDonald rejects some longstanding stereotypes and introduces a 21st-century heroine who is fearless and capable — and who, by the way, happens to be neurodivergent which was a pleasure to read! However the story is laced with scenes that contradict this and leave Zelda looking helpless. She is placed in a variety of sexual situations that leave her either unsatisfied and/or diminished. Furthermore the dirty jokes, double entendres, come-ons, threats and straight-up violence and even attempted rape, little of which Zelda understands or appreciates left me feeling triggered to say the least. All of this is extremely jarring and seems to take away from Zelda's coming of age story.
humbug87's review against another edition
I am trying to get in the habit that if a book makes me reluctant to listen to it and keep putting off carrying on once I've started it then that book can be left to go on it's way.
hoosgracie's review
3.0
I’m very conflicted about this book. I wavered between two and three stars. I liked Zelda but there was an unevenness to the story. I’m also not sure how well Zelda was represented.
rum2j's review
2.0
Really torn about my feelings on this book! Will not be suggesting as a book to read!! 2 plus stars!