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deedireads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/.
I would probably never have picked up The End of Drum-Time if it hadn’t been named a finalist for the National Book Award, but I have to admit I liked it more than I expected to. Quiet, immersive, and culturally rich, Drum-Time gives us a heartbreaking look at the intersections of both modernity and tradition and faith and identity.
The book takes place in the mid-19th century in northern Sweeden, at the edge of the Arctic Circle. In one small town, Nordic Christians are interfering more and more with the indigenous Sami people’s way of life. At the center of the story is a young couple who fall for each other (Willa, daughter of the intense local pastor named “Mad Lars”; and Ivvar, son of an alcoholic reindeer herder recently “saved” by Mad Lars), but there are also many other characters and a whole web of relationships spun between them, making this much more than a romance.
By far, the strength of this book is in its prose. Pylväinen’s sentences are absolutely gorgeous. It matches well with the slow, detailed pace of the book, which is also a strength — although it does occasionally turn against it. There were several key plot moments where I felt the pace naturally want to pick up, but then it seemed like Pylväinen intentionally slowed things down by getting really in the weeds. For me, that broke the momentum of the book enough times that it became a noticeable pattern and my primary qualm.
All in all, though, a solid read. Those who like to read well-researched, moving, literary historical fiction will like this one.
I would probably never have picked up The End of Drum-Time if it hadn’t been named a finalist for the National Book Award, but I have to admit I liked it more than I expected to. Quiet, immersive, and culturally rich, Drum-Time gives us a heartbreaking look at the intersections of both modernity and tradition and faith and identity.
The book takes place in the mid-19th century in northern Sweeden, at the edge of the Arctic Circle. In one small town, Nordic Christians are interfering more and more with the indigenous Sami people’s way of life. At the center of the story is a young couple who fall for each other (Willa, daughter of the intense local pastor named “Mad Lars”; and Ivvar, son of an alcoholic reindeer herder recently “saved” by Mad Lars), but there are also many other characters and a whole web of relationships spun between them, making this much more than a romance.
By far, the strength of this book is in its prose. Pylväinen’s sentences are absolutely gorgeous. It matches well with the slow, detailed pace of the book, which is also a strength — although it does occasionally turn against it. There were several key plot moments where I felt the pace naturally want to pick up, but then it seemed like Pylväinen intentionally slowed things down by getting really in the weeds. For me, that broke the momentum of the book enough times that it became a noticeable pattern and my primary qualm.
All in all, though, a solid read. Those who like to read well-researched, moving, literary historical fiction will like this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Murder, Religious bigotry, Animal death, and Racism
Moderate: Colonisation and Confinement
bookmaddie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
bootsmom3's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, Animal death, Blood, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Death of parent, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Addiction, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Animal cruelty
marywahlmeierbracciano's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Hanna Pylväinen’s stunning sophomore novel will transport you to the breathtaking, unforgiving subarctic tundra of the Sámi, Indigenous Peoples of the Nordic region whose land and lifestyle defies borders. In an isolated village, a provocative Lutheran minister—based upon the real-life founder of the Laestadian movement—aims to turn the Sámi toward Jesus and away from their traditional culture. When he converts a prominent reindeer herdsman in a dramatic awakening, the community is (literally) shaken. Meanwhile two young people from opposite sides are falling in love. As the seasons change, from polar night to midnight sun, the Sámi embark on their regular migration—of Biblical proportions—across the frozen landscape with the reindeer. This transformative, atmospheric epic explores the meaning of family, loyalty, and the pain of colonization.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Gun violence, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Murder, Violence, Animal death, Racism, Grief, and Sexism
Moderate: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Confinement, Medical content, Classism, Colonisation, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Child death, Death of parent, Fatphobia, and Child abuse
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