Reviews

The Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson

garazi's review against another edition

How do you think it feels growing up in a house full of empty fruit bowls?

areykaminsk's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

zoe_'s review against another edition

fast-paced

I believe that I would love this book in the right context - it is beautiful and evocative. Learning about it in a lecture or seminar, maybe if I had read it about 10 years ago, a circumstance like that might have led to me giving this 5 stars and a glowing review.

As it stands, I am hesitant to voice my opinion because I am not sure I have grasped it fully. There are many aspects that make this a great book but I wanted more from the story. The description calls this story a bridge between ancient story and modern narrative, but it is so modern that it nearly lost all semblance of the ancient. The second half confused me because it had nearly no relation to the first. It is a story all about one relationship when I thought it was about a character.

Maybe it just boils down to (once again) me not understanding the romance that the book relies on. I am glad that I read this book, though. It seems like a great recommendation for the right person.

rlselden's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny fast-paced

3.0

bookgirl1861's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

lullibub's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

otter_the_grouch's review against another edition

emotional reflective relaxing slow-paced

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

4.5

ohgirlieplease's review against another edition

4.0

My intro into Anne Carson novels. Love how accessible this is for an adhd-riddled slow reader like me, and such beautiful prose. Carried this book with me through a romantically tumultuous year and it now has a tender place in my heart. Geryon is a character that resonates so deeply with me, and the portrayal of queer love, sex, and longing is just...chef's kiss. Great way to force myself back into the habit of reading.

beholder's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I am shocked that this wasn't a favorite, after years and years of waiting to read it. I just... I don't get it 💀 Stesichoros' fragments in the beginning, the quotes about time, and some quotes in the Tango chapter ("Who can a monster blame for being red?" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) were my favorites. I like how it was structured in memorable moments of his life. But I just..... don't understand. I'm missing something. Wow. What a bummer 😅

mary_jane99's review against another edition

DNF @ 50 pages

I'm not as interested in this as I hoped and it is kind of confusing to me (I don't think I am paying enough attention tbh)