Reviews

A Visitation of Spirits by Randall Kenan

emilycathn's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

kellierickson's review against another edition

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Need to come back to it when I am able to pay attention better…

chrisralonso's review against another edition

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4.0

I'd had this book on my to-read list for some time and regrettably started it after Randall Kenan's passing. This is the kind of book I wish I'd been taught in a college course, blending gothic and magical realist elements. Queer in form and everything's a symbol. I'm excited to read Kenan's body of work.

aislynlh's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.5

hopewhynot's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

3.5

jessroberson's review against another edition

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5.0

I think this is my new favorite book. 

moonknitter's review

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4.0

I loved the way this book tells the story from different points in time and different points of view, but the descriptions and use of the “demons” and “witchcraft” is incredibly cheesy.

raulbime's review against another edition

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3.0

Truthfully, although I'm marking this as read, I only read 40% of this book. Certainly one of those books I personally wish I liked more than I did. I wanted to read this after reading Randall Kenan's wonderful story Wash Me.

I liked the fact that this story had a Black Southern gay teenager as the protagonist, I wish I could have pushed harder with the story, but I noticed I was pushing hard to like the story which is often an indicator that I should leave the book and hopefully return to it when my mind feels less cluttered than it currently is or when I can appreciate the writer's style. Perhaps reading Randall Kenan's short story collection [b:Let the Dead Bury Their Dead|857338|Let the Dead Bury Their Dead|Randall Kenan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1382946578l/857338._SX50_.jpg|842793] will be a better way to connect with this writer.