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kari_f's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
4.0
“The world must be much larger than I’d imagined for so many people to have disappeared in it.”
A relatively short novel divided into three parts, Eartheater is a modern magical realism novel taking place in Argentina. The protagonist, whose name we never learn, has compulsions to consume earth; when she eats earth that has been touched by victims, she can see visions of them and the crimes committed against them. Though her body craves the earth, the visions are deeply troubling and violent… so while she often helps people discover the truth about what happened to their loved ones, it’s a deeply unsettling and repulsive feeling for her and for the reader.
There were so many important themes throughout this dark and atmospheric coming of age novel. I found it really interesting that the protagonist is essentially shunned by her community and peers for using her gift, even as others seek her out specifically for it. She lives in a slum, and the use of her power does not bring her immense wealth or respect.
It is no coincidence that most of the missing people she searches for are women, to the point where she decided she doesn’t want kids because girls go missing too often. I love that the author makes it clear that the violence against women has a huge impact on the world, seeping into the very soil we walk upon. The social commentary is dark and direct and unflinching, especially knowing that femicide rates in Argentina have continued to increase in the years since the book was written.
This is not a fun book by any means, but it’s an important one, a bizarrely interesting one, and a poignantly relevant one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
bleepbloop's review
dark
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder
clawrence345's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol
moonypads's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Cursing and Alcohol