larasam's review
2.0
I struggled to get through this. I wanted to like this; on paper it sounds like something I should like, but i just hated all the main characters.
bookswithbri's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Infidelity
mezzano's review
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
2.0
On a literary level, Ford's novel Carousel is a masterpiece. Within its pages, Ford uses a nolstagic carousel to center us into Margot's world. At its heart, this is a story about carrying emotional weight within us, and hoping to become someone better than we fear we are. Listening to the audiobook felt like visiting a dream. With rich descriptions and vivid imagery, Margot's simple life is filled with plenty of beautiful, albeit messy and sad, moments.
When the novel takes place, Margot has already lived through what seems to be an entirely separate journey. Margot escapes an abusive family situation and finds passion in fire arms dealing. She's married to Estelle Cote, who she frequently refers to as "her wife". We watch Margot in many ways seems to be the climax of her own life. As her favorite local carousel begins to close down, Margot reflects on the way her own life appears to be falling apart. What is explored in this novel is deeply personal. We watch Margot and Estelle discuss their lives through counseling. We watch Margot try to find new meaning in what her life has been.
Ultimately, I found it hard to stay focused at times during this story, as its slow pace and melodic writing meant that the plot often took the backseat in my mind. The characters were interesting, but lacked the spark to make them personally memorable for me. I suspect this is not the fault of the novel, but instead at my own perspective. I am still young, and have not quite felt the weight of living that Margot has. I find it incredibly exciting that there are queer stories being written about older women, that are as filled with literary merit and heart as Ford has curated on paper.
When the novel takes place, Margot has already lived through what seems to be an entirely separate journey. Margot escapes an abusive family situation and finds passion in fire arms dealing. She's married to Estelle Cote, who she frequently refers to as "her wife". We watch Margot in many ways seems to be the climax of her own life. As her favorite local carousel begins to close down, Margot reflects on the way her own life appears to be falling apart. What is explored in this novel is deeply personal. We watch Margot and Estelle discuss their lives through counseling. We watch Margot try to find new meaning in what her life has been.
Ultimately, I found it hard to stay focused at times during this story, as its slow pace and melodic writing meant that the plot often took the backseat in my mind. The characters were interesting, but lacked the spark to make them personally memorable for me. I suspect this is not the fault of the novel, but instead at my own perspective. I am still young, and have not quite felt the weight of living that Margot has. I find it incredibly exciting that there are queer stories being written about older women, that are as filled with literary merit and heart as Ford has curated on paper.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship
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