Reviews

Reproduction by Ian Williams

johns_library's review against another edition

challenging reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

It had been a tradition of mine to read the Giller prize winner in the past few years, as well as working my way backwards from years past. Each time, I always come into these books with both an excitement and curiosity as to why they had won. Where as other books may have won due to their prose or narrative, William’s Reproduction is one that has excellent prose from his background as a poet and the structure are the largest highlights for myself.

 
The book breaks down into 3 sections. The first section, is a simple narrative between two people, Felicia and Edgar, of whom finds themselves forming a relationship. Later on, the next section complicates itself further as the narratives are shorter and jump between Felicia,

Spoiler

her child, and the landlord's family

they find themselves sharing their lives with. Then finally, at the last section, each POV narrative becomes shorter. Similar to cells, the narratives are reproducing as the characters we follow increase. The last section itself includes the bleeding of the first section, into the last section, a callback to the original lives of Felicia and Edgar, like how a parent’s DNA bleeds into their children. 

 

Overall, the structure was unique, and the story was somewhat interesting, even though I found myself disliking most of the characters except for Felicia, which may have been the intention all along. In the end, I can see why William’s work had won. It was unique, and his prose is poetic and how he structures the book to have a meaning, showcases thoughtfulness behind everything. This was a challenging read, but I still enjoyed it, even if it left me confused, especially in the last section.

trishtalksbooks's review against another edition

challenging reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

beingzoraa's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault

Minor: Misogyny and Racism

plaidpladd's review against another edition

4.0

This book was surprisingly engrossing. The different POVs, time periods, and narrative styles kept it interesting, and though most of the characters were super unlikeable, they felt realistic.

colindac's review against another edition

4.0

I despised Edgar and the beginning relationship with Fiona as a teenage girl did not set the stage well for me, and put it aside a number of times. Writing is excellent and unusual, and that kept me going.

sop345's review against another edition

dark sad tense slow-paced

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

2.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Pregnancy

wendoxford's review against another edition

1.0

I found this experimental (or so it seemed to me) novel incredibly overlong. The main topic is unplanned pregnancies but layered within that is race, culture, relationships, date rape, misogyny and on the list goes.

The narrative changes form in each section of the story's twists. I didn't really like any of them, but the most irritating was of numbered paragraphs attributed to different characters in a guided stream of consciousness. This division (in which reproduction genetics also features) just made me feel that the author was trying for an intellectually clever book to demonstrate his intelligence rather than an engaging read.

Thumbs down from me. Hoping he doesn't reproduce!

coolgalreading's review against another edition

Trying to figure out how I feel about this

joey1914's review against another edition

4.0

A wild and creative story, it makes you think and you have to piece things together, it lacks a bit of plot though.

lolajoan's review against another edition

5.0

As I started to get into this book, my main impression was that it is very Giller-prize-y. So then I realized that I have a hot take on what makes book-prize-books feel similar: they're like vegetable side dishes. The great ones can be richly creative, decadent, filling and satisfying, and the mediocre ones can be bitter or bland or mushy or just leave you hungry and cold, but they all make you feel like you've done something virtuous and nourishing and self-improving by reading them. They're not junk food.
So, yeah, this one starts out very virtuous and healthy - complex interpersonal relations with at least one unreliable narrator and a setting that is simultaneously precise enough to be evocative and yet vague enough to feel universal.
Then it throws a little spice into the mix with some salacious behaviour and extremely grey morals. Then it starts breaking down the entire idea of language and narrative, which is like putting a layer of delicious decadent cheese on top and baking until bubbly.
The characters and voices are so rich and alive and yet inscrutable, which is good because real people are generally quite lacking in scrutability. The plot is believable and yet kind of cinematic. The settings are largely irrelevant which is kind of odd for a "Canadian" novel - it could be set anywhere, really.
The recurring titular theme (in all its possible definitions) is sometimes obvious and sometimes requires a bit of reflection to see. It's clever without being tooooo clever.
I chuckled a few times. I bawled at the end.