ivancicamslck's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
ooloooxoo's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
emerence and her odd relationship with the narrator hold so many similarities with a surrogate parent in my own life. her quirks, her purely individual method of communicating, her mood swings and ticks, her strict moral and social codes, her deep and enduring love. i am going to think about this book for a long time.
anya_reading's review against another edition
4.0
It took me much longer than I originally thought to finish this book. A lot happened in the last year - changing jobs again, moving again, and pandemic woes.
That being said, the sense of sorrow and anguish that falls upon the reader of this book is heavy, like a lead apron on the chest. That it took me so long to finish a relatively short book, I'd like to explain. It was not that this book wasn't eloquently translated, or that it was boring. The writing was utterly fantastic and gripping. I just felt so uncomfortable sometimes with the emotions this book made me feel, that I had to put it down until I felt strong enough to read it again. For a book to have that much power, it is remarkable indeed. I am wholly thankful that my Goodreads friend Jim recommended this book to me. It was every bit as memorable as he promised it was.
That being said, the sense of sorrow and anguish that falls upon the reader of this book is heavy, like a lead apron on the chest. That it took me so long to finish a relatively short book, I'd like to explain. It was not that this book wasn't eloquently translated, or that it was boring. The writing was utterly fantastic and gripping. I just felt so uncomfortable sometimes with the emotions this book made me feel, that I had to put it down until I felt strong enough to read it again. For a book to have that much power, it is remarkable indeed. I am wholly thankful that my Goodreads friend Jim recommended this book to me. It was every bit as memorable as he promised it was.
caitlin_ann_m's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
cruzsuzanne's review against another edition
5.0
"I still don’t know how she fitted so much living into one life."
this has one of the best opening chapters I've read!!
this has one of the best opening chapters I've read!!
penguinlost's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jokos's review against another edition
5.0
(I always say that and never come back to it, but maybe this time.)
I CAME BACK.
Amazing. The characters are so fully formed, it's hard for me to accept this is not fully autobiographical. Emerence is such a badass lady.
Spoiler
First I thought, damn Magdushka, ya fucked up.But thennn, if Emerence had just asked for her help earlier, she'd have kept her dignity and her cats and probably recovered just as well.
amarasanti's review against another edition
2.0
I did finish this book so I guess that says something but I didn't really care for either of the two main characters. I suppose they had been formed by their past experiences so I should give them some slack for that but I just didn't really appreciate how they communicated with each other. Quite a complex book really so I suppose it was very well written but I guess just not for me.