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mermaidsherbet's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Car accident, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Murder, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Violence
savvylit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What a novella! Mrs. Caliban is so many things: a romance, a thriller, a feminist fable. Ingalls has managed to pack a heck of a lot of thought-provoking story into this fast-paced little book. Larry's arrival sets Dorothy free from her unsatisfying life. For one, she discovers her own sexual agency. Furthermore, Larry's constant questions about human culture help Dorothy discover the inanity of many societal expectations.
There's so much more that happens in Mrs. Caliban, but that's about all I can say without spoiling the novella. Suffice it to say, I love this book. A short feminist fable with magical realism? My favorite genre! I can't wait to track down more of Ingalls' work.
There's so much more that happens in Mrs. Caliban, but that's about all I can say without spoiling the novella. Suffice it to say, I love this book. A short feminist fable with magical realism? My favorite genre! I can't wait to track down more of Ingalls' work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Child death, Animal death, Murder, and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Adult/minor relationship, and Toxic friendship
abomine's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A love story about a lonely housewife and a giant anthropomorphic frog, mixed with some satire about the drama of American suburbia sounds like it should be relatively lighthearted faire. Nope. This is a bleak book; this is a Shakespearean tragedy about loss, trauma, mental health (or lack thereof), and fractured relationships, which makes the tender romance, peaceful moments, joyful moments, and snippets of snarky humor shine all the brighter against such a dark background.
Therefore, it makes sense that the ending would be devastating, but I was quite unprepared for how devastating it would be, because not only was it WAY too real, it was completely justified and horrifically beautiful. No "drama for shock value" stuff here. This is the real deal.
This ending was like having your heart ripped out by a gourmet chef, who sautés it right in front of you with herb butter and garlic. You're reeling from the shock of such sudden violence, and by the time your senses return, the chef serves you your heart, glistening with luscious sauce beside some bright spring greens. You numbly take a bite...and it's the most delicious thing you've ever tasted.
Therefore, it makes sense that the ending would be devastating, but I was quite unprepared for how devastating it would be, because not only was it WAY too real, it was completely justified and horrifically beautiful. No "drama for shock value" stuff here. This is the real deal.
This ending was like having your heart ripped out by a gourmet chef, who sautés it right in front of you with herb butter and garlic. You're reeling from the shock of such sudden violence, and by the time your senses return, the chef serves you your heart, glistening with luscious sauce beside some bright spring greens. You numbly take a bite...and it's the most delicious thing you've ever tasted.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Animal death
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