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jessicamusch's review against another edition
5.0
“In the shudder of his skin, in the run of his blood, he would feel the wonder again.”
What a book! Bravo Robbie Arnott.
Flames tells the story of several complex characters, including the flames themselves. It speaks of the power to learn, grow, and be reborn that is within all of us.
This one is equal parts odd and human and elemental. Each chapter is a short story in its own right, with intrigue right to the end.
If you need a decent read, pick this up - bonus points if you are travelling to Tasmania, as a key character and theme of Flames is the Tasmanian landscape.
What a book! Bravo Robbie Arnott.
Flames tells the story of several complex characters, including the flames themselves. It speaks of the power to learn, grow, and be reborn that is within all of us.
This one is equal parts odd and human and elemental. Each chapter is a short story in its own right, with intrigue right to the end.
If you need a decent read, pick this up - bonus points if you are travelling to Tasmania, as a key character and theme of Flames is the Tasmanian landscape.
siennasparrey's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ariane_ryan's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bookswithlukas's review against another edition
3.0
Magical realism is a tricky one for me. I generally like a subtle nod in the direction of magical realism but if it leans too far into the fantastical elements, it kind of loses me and takes me out of the story, to the point where there are very few I’ve enjoyed overall.
‘Flames’ by Robbie Arnott is a perfect example of this - while also managing to be one of the few exceptions. In truth, while ‘Flames’ is most certainly a novel with the classic beginning/middle/end...it also peppers in quite a few chapters and viewpoints that also act as little side stories or fables - and these little side sections were my favourite parts of the book. (A boy and a seal bonding to hunt tuna was a special highlight, along with the history of fire told from the point of view of fire itself).
Arnott’s imagination honestly knows no bounds and certain elements are weaved wonderfully into the main story of a family whose female members have a habit of momentarily reincarnating in the elements they die in. (Yes, that’s exactly how the book starts!)
There are elements that are a little more traditional though, such as a detective tasked with tracking down one of our lead characters that feels almost out of place and pedestrian due to the bizarreness of every going on around them in the story. It doesn’t ruin the novel or anything like that, but it did stand out as being one of its weaker aspects.
Purists will also be horrified to discover that Arnott doesn’t use speech marks, instead having all his dialogue simply italicised. It’s an odd choice in a novel full of oddities, but in general I’d say ‘Flames’ is more effective than not, with some truly stand out fable like tales that are not to be missed.
‘Flames’ by Robbie Arnott is a perfect example of this - while also managing to be one of the few exceptions. In truth, while ‘Flames’ is most certainly a novel with the classic beginning/middle/end...it also peppers in quite a few chapters and viewpoints that also act as little side stories or fables - and these little side sections were my favourite parts of the book. (A boy and a seal bonding to hunt tuna was a special highlight, along with the history of fire told from the point of view of fire itself).
Arnott’s imagination honestly knows no bounds and certain elements are weaved wonderfully into the main story of a family whose female members have a habit of momentarily reincarnating in the elements they die in. (Yes, that’s exactly how the book starts!)
There are elements that are a little more traditional though, such as a detective tasked with tracking down one of our lead characters that feels almost out of place and pedestrian due to the bizarreness of every going on around them in the story. It doesn’t ruin the novel or anything like that, but it did stand out as being one of its weaker aspects.
Purists will also be horrified to discover that Arnott doesn’t use speech marks, instead having all his dialogue simply italicised. It’s an odd choice in a novel full of oddities, but in general I’d say ‘Flames’ is more effective than not, with some truly stand out fable like tales that are not to be missed.
gabby_ab's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
yodaddy's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
Unlike anything else ive read
gelderha's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
dbrhplcd's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The imagery!!!!
gorecki's review against another edition
4.0
Flames by Robbie Arnott was wild and quirky and imaginative. It was like something out of Tasmania. Wait, it actually is from there! This is how I imagine Tasmania - full of miracles and strange and scary and beautiful things all at once.
While it did leave me wanting a bit more emotion and a bit more snobbery in its language, it was full of deities, animals, fire and eerie characters which turned it into a really engaging read. I really appreciated the many manifestations and faces of nature in the book and its connection to the characters. Elements of magical realism made it a delight, elements of pure fantasy added a bit of edge to it, and the wild Tasmanian setting was the perfect home for all of this. My first read from Tasmania, but definitely not the last!
While it did leave me wanting a bit more emotion and a bit more snobbery in its language, it was full of deities, animals, fire and eerie characters which turned it into a really engaging read. I really appreciated the many manifestations and faces of nature in the book and its connection to the characters. Elements of magical realism made it a delight, elements of pure fantasy added a bit of edge to it, and the wild Tasmanian setting was the perfect home for all of this. My first read from Tasmania, but definitely not the last!