chirson's review against another edition
4.0
The intense focus on the body and art reminded me of Jeanette Winterson somewhat, although this is obviously not a lesbian novel. It communicates its themes very clearly and even somewhat unsubtly (the disease which burns its sufferers from the inside, the burning of wood from the outside that makes it stronger, the mother and daughter going through life in bodies that carry seeds of their destruction) but well, nonetheless. I found it unputdownable and occasionally beautifully poignant but perhaps it didn't floor me as much as I'd expected - still, a worthy read.
ichirofakename's review against another edition
5.0
Don't be put off by the formless and vague first half, or the "you" nonsense. Second half is worth it, when first the art stuff blossoms, and then surviving the pandemic gets quite intense. Highly recommended.
svandersijde's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
meesh_loves_books's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
reindeerbandit's review against another edition
5.0
beautifully realized and emotionally devastating
l3ahclayton's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
blackthorntree's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mlirwin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0
katewutz's review against another edition
2.0
This book is lovely, with beautiful language that forms a meditation on mortality and immortality. Blah blah art blah blah life blah blah capricious nature of death etc.
That said…WOOF, it was not a thing I wanted to read in year 3 of a global pandemic. Edith mentions the trauma of having lived through her virus, and…well, yeah. We’re too close to our own trauma right now. Sorry, but this was not for me right now.
That said…WOOF, it was not a thing I wanted to read in year 3 of a global pandemic. Edith mentions the trauma of having lived through her virus, and…well, yeah. We’re too close to our own trauma right now. Sorry, but this was not for me right now.