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draxin's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I have no memories of where I heard about this book, but I am so glad I did. Even though out of the 30 letters, not every one had the same effect on me, I imagine with rereading I will find different ones touching. Because it consists of different short stories, it will not be the same level all throughout, therefore I cannot yet give it 5 stars, but I feel like, the score will grow with every reread. I must reccommend this book to everyone, it quickly became one of my favourites. The tone and language was so poetic, I took a few quotes for myself from it.
vegandanimal's review against another edition
5.0
This may be my new favourite novel. I'll need some time to take it in properly, and a few rereads to be sure, but it's definitely in my top three.
I'm going to try and keep this review spoiler free, as really everyone needs to read this book.
It's quite simply stunning. The writing (and quality of translation) is beautiful, the narrative is captivating. The way Krohn works the fantastical elements of the City in with the recollections of the narrators life before set up wonderful juxtapositions that make the novel resonate on so many more levels.
Without analysing the book to death, I'll just say I found it psychologically and philosophically very thought provoking, but I also found the book very emotionally moving.
All together an absolutely captivating reading experience.
I'm going to try and keep this review spoiler free, as really everyone needs to read this book.
It's quite simply stunning. The writing (and quality of translation) is beautiful, the narrative is captivating. The way Krohn works the fantastical elements of the City in with the recollections of the narrators life before set up wonderful juxtapositions that make the novel resonate on so many more levels.
Without analysing the book to death, I'll just say I found it psychologically and philosophically very thought provoking, but I also found the book very emotionally moving.
All together an absolutely captivating reading experience.
heimonroo's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
feastofblaze's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
tregina's review against another edition
5.0
I am completely fascinated by this book. It's about a human living on a city populated by insects, but as much as the city is a vivid character in the book it's not about the city but about the narrator, about the ways in which they engage with this world and the relationships they form and the relationship to the one they left back home, to whom they write these thirty letters and never receive a reply. Some of the letters seem to exist almost as pure, complex metaphor, and some—most, really—share the melancholy and strangeness and joy of this new home they have come to. Not only do I want to read it again, but I need to read it again, because there's so much packed into it I can't possibly have gotten it all on first reading.
misswendy's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
lelathecat's review against another edition
5.0
Strange, Ethereal, AND Introspective
This collection of letters/chapters made me feel like an explorer in the fictional world and in my own world. It made me think about myself and the people around me as if we were all insects collecting sensory information through antennae and communicating with pheromones instead of by using eyes and words. A wonderful, accessible read for anyone looking for a good story.
This collection of letters/chapters made me feel like an explorer in the fictional world and in my own world. It made me think about myself and the people around me as if we were all insects collecting sensory information through antennae and communicating with pheromones instead of by using eyes and words. A wonderful, accessible read for anyone looking for a good story.
innipinni's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0