laz92's review
3.0
Morally obliged to give this 3 stars because the quality of the prose is very high, but this is a miserable, colourless book with nothing at all to enjoy.
adayafterautumn's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I mistook this book for onion because there be l a y e r s
manapere's review
5.0
Although Everything Under is a prose narrative there is a poetic nature in Daisy Johnson's writing style that makes for a captivating and entrancing read even if it takes a while to fully understand what is happening. This is definitely a book that I would like to re-read because, like I mentioned, it did take about 50+ pages for me to fully grasp the non-linear and shifting narrative point of views in the storytelling.
I went into this book knowing nothing other than it was nominated for the Man Booker Prize (2018), and because of that I was genuinely surprised when it incorporated a classical Greek myth in such an interesting and creative way that elevated the story and the character motivations and added to the tragic nature of these characters.
Every aspect of this story was excellently crafted. Usually when a story jumps from different times or different narratives, there are some more compelling than others, but in this case each one built on the other and equally as great.
I went into this book knowing nothing other than it was nominated for the Man Booker Prize (2018), and because of that I was genuinely surprised when it incorporated a classical Greek myth in such an interesting and creative way that elevated the story and the character motivations and added to the tragic nature of these characters.
Every aspect of this story was excellently crafted. Usually when a story jumps from different times or different narratives, there are some more compelling than others, but in this case each one built on the other and equally as great.
rachaelex's review
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
savvylit's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Everything Under is a book in which the setting is the most key feature. The river Isis and its community of drifters make up the bulk of this ethereal story. Johnson effortlessly invokes the rhythms of river-living in a way that transports.
The mother-daughter dynamics in this book are well-explored and devastating. Gretel's perspective in particular is heart-wrenching and challenging. Johnson gives the book a mysterious element as we wonder alongside Gretel: who was Marcus and why did he change the trajectory of their life?
Overall, this is a lovely and genderfluid retelling of a classic myth. The characters and the setting were so real-seeming. My only complaint would be that something in the structure felt a little too confusing; it was o
The mother-daughter dynamics in this book are well-explored and devastating. Gretel's perspective in particular is heart-wrenching and challenging. Johnson gives the book a mysterious element as we wonder alongside Gretel: who was Marcus and why did he change the trajectory of their life?
Overall, this is a lovely and genderfluid retelling of a classic myth. The characters and the setting were so real-seeming. My only complaint would be that something in the structure felt a little too confusing; it was o
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Deadnaming, Abandonment, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Murder, Alcoholism, and Animal death
frankie36's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
2.75
crisr8's review
4.0
Very well written and interesting take on an old story, but i can’t say I loved reading it or would happily pass it on to a friend. Not an easy book.