Reviews tagging 'Animal death'

Nothing but the Rain by Naomi Salman

5 reviews

schnaucl's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.5

I enjoyed it, although the more I think about it the less reliable I find the narrator.  

I can't imagine how terrifying it would be if any time you came into contact with water it cost you some of your memory.   And how long would it take to figure out that's what happened, especially if you lived alone?

While I understand why people would want to try and leave, their plan to do so was never quite clear to me other than maybe they can't shoot all of us?  Except it seemed like they all expected to make it past the military barricade but without explaining how.  Or what they planned to do once they were past it.    It's set in modern times and I would imagine it's hard to prove you are who you say you are without some kind of proof.  I get that a lack of birth certificate for the child isn't the most pressing concern in that situation but eventually it'll come up.

I also wonder how many people deliberately stood outside in the rain and deliberately lost themselves, particularly if they thought they couldn't make it past the military blockade.   Would that be better or worse than being shot?   The death would certainly be prolonged and death by starvation isn't pretty but if you're not aware enough to know that's what's happening or to be aware of your hunger maybe that's kinder?

As to the ending, if time is of the essence, I'm not sure it makes sense that she let the child cry for her mother for three minutes.   It certainly makes for a dramatic end though.  I'm also wondering how old the kid was supposed to be when she was allowed to read the journal/diary.

Anyway, it's a really interesting concept.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, and Confinement

Minor: Suicide, Animal death, Child death, Murder, and Suicidal thoughts

directorpurry's review against another edition

mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death and Gaslighting

emburs9's review against another edition

dark reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death and Gun violence

grimdark_dad's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Violence, Animal death, Child death, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Kidnapping

zigzagzmak's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

4.5

An apocalyptic amnesia takes over Aloisville, and Laverne isn't sure when it started or whether the world outside of town is safe. She knows that someone is airdropping food and keeping the electricity and water going and that armed guards dressed in rubber line the barricaded town. She forgets these details often but her many notes on the walls of her house remind her the important details, until she starts a journal. Nothing But the Rain reminded me of my creative writing teachers encouraging stories that allow their readers to know more about what's going on than the characters do. Salman does a fabulous job of making that a narrative imperative of the story. By its nature, a diary written by someone suffering constant bouts of amnesia means you will piece together and remember things the main character cannot. Despite knowing more than Laverne, Salman does not allow you to know everything, leaving some key details up to you to decide, which is a difficult line to walk as an author, and one that Salman walks brilliantly. You know just enough to keep it interesting and not too much to be bored with the world. 

Salman tells Laverne's story in three distinct but intriguing sections that together beg the question of whether a crisis situation where you at least know your basic needs will be met is preferable to the unknowns of freedom. Salman quietly answers the question early on: "Turns out we can't just stay inside all day. Not even in the middle of the apocalypse," but still leaves you wondering what will come next as details small and large are forgotten. 

This novella is a quick and interesting read, which I recommend for anyone who enjoys reading stories about memory, forgetting, and apocalypses of unknown origin. 

Thank you to Tor Publishing Group and Netgalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death