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rieviolet's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is my very first foray into Latvian literature; I didn't know what to expect but I was suprised by how much this novel captivated me and stuck with me.
It takes a moment to orient oneself with the rapid switch of POVs between mother and daughter; but, once you get used to it, you can see how well this stylistic choice supports the narrative and builds on it.
The author depicts the central relationship between mother and daughter in a very striking and heartbreaking way, shining a light on all its complexities and nuances. I also appreciated how Ikstena explored the influence of the historical context (the Soviet rule over Latvia) on the life of individuals.
This is a very bleak story, with strong imagery and symbolism, at times veering a little too far into harrowing and disturbing territory (for example the metaphorical parellel with the story of the daughter's hamster). I think that its shortness works in its favour. The author condenses various elements of reflection (freedom and domination, motherhood and generational trauma, struggles of mental health) in a little over one hundred pages and makes this gloomy and challenging narrative bearable for the reader. Despite everything, the ending still holds a faint glimmer of hope for the future.
It takes a moment to orient oneself with the rapid switch of POVs between mother and daughter; but, once you get used to it, you can see how well this stylistic choice supports the narrative and builds on it.
The author depicts the central relationship between mother and daughter in a very striking and heartbreaking way, shining a light on all its complexities and nuances. I also appreciated how Ikstena explored the influence of the historical context (the Soviet rule over Latvia) on the life of individuals.
This is a very bleak story, with strong imagery and symbolism, at times veering a little too far into harrowing and disturbing territory (for example the metaphorical parellel with the story of the daughter's hamster). I think that its shortness works in its favour. The author condenses various elements of reflection (freedom and domination, motherhood and generational trauma, struggles of mental health) in a little over one hundred pages and makes this gloomy and challenging narrative bearable for the reader. Despite everything, the ending still holds a faint glimmer of hope for the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Abortion, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Child death, Infertility, Miscarriage, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Antisemitism, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Deportation, and Pandemic/Epidemic