historian's review
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
mollfrost's review
2.0
Great concept, beautiful writing, but I need something with a stronger narrative to be able to enjoy reading.
lkosior's review
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
lindsrobking's review
4.0
This is probably the most allusive book I've ever read. Joy Williams manages to weave climate catastrophe, eco-terrorism, biblical fable, German idealism, existentialism, Christian morality, Buddhism, theology and theosophy together in mirrors and entendres that are so clever they're easy to miss and mistake for absurdism. The prose, as a reader might expect from Williams, ambles from poetic to dark to kooky to relentlessly witty and back again. I often pictured her writing this book slouched over the keyboard, flooded with coffee, sporting a wide smug grin after every good line. While it does feel like a certain kind of genius, at times Harrow is chaotic and hard to parse, with many similar overlapping voices, and movement that follows the pliable logic of dreams. I loved this book because I found the work of understanding it deeply satisfying, but I would not say that this book was simply enjoyable.
judyboom's review
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
christie_evelyn's review
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Animal cruelty, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Grief
julieolsn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
thesearethebooks's review
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
aepp's review
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
I did not understand this book, the plot or the characters. Disappointing and confusing for no reason.