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orlagal's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
miles_books45's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
It was really good , the narator for the audio book definitely made it easier to get through it. The twist and turns , the little details with the mythology of water. Some twists I really didn't see coming but thought they were perfect for the type of book this is.
Only thing I would say is the first part of this book kinda jumps about quite alot with the present day and flashbacks and it made it a little confusin initially, but this might be different with a physical book
Only thing I would say is the first part of this book kinda jumps about quite alot with the present day and flashbacks and it made it a little confusin initially, but this might be different with a physical book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, Transphobia, Violence, and Vomit
tesslw's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.5
I was so so pleased to have had Skin sent to me by the wonderful Vintage books ahead of the paperback publication; so thank you so much!
When Matty’s father, Joe, disappears from London without trace in 1985, Matty spends the summer that follows seeking out answers and trying not to let the trail go cold. DIscovering that the last place Joe was seen was the ponds at Hampstead Heath, Matty goes looking for answers. His mother, Rosa, is content to let him believe that Joe is long dead; however Matty can’t reconcile this. Slipping quietly into the group of regular swimmers at the ponds, Matty gains perspective and understanding of a whole and diverse community that was entirely unbeknownst to him previously. Fourteen years later, still without answers and unable to move on, Matty sets out in search of his father; however the hurdles he encounters en route are enough to almost throw him off course forever.
I thought there was so much of this novel which spoke to my soul; it focuses heavily on identity, the trials of selecting and navigation of the spaces we occupy, and it also revolves around some truly beautiful and enigmatic nature writing; there is particular focus on water and wild swimming - first in the Hampstead ponds, and later in the freezing loughs of Ireland (a theme which I do believe is inspired by the author’s own love of wild and cold water swimming) .
For me, the best and weightiest part of this novel came in the first third of the book. I found Matty to be an intriguing protagonist; carrying an aloofness that remains endearing without edging into disinterest - the undercurrents of isolation and belonging take root early and continue to grow throughout the rest of the book - however, as we move to the later sections and the landscape opens, so does the focus of the novel, and this to me threw it off piste somehow. The plot itself is dynamic (there is a ‘twist’ towards the end of the first section, which I would probably call more of a clever slight of narrative but is very effective - but makes it very hard to write about the book as a whole without giving it away!) and in theory should flow well.. However I honestly found this losing steam around the halfway point and unfortunately never quite regaining it!
I am finding it very hard to pin down or articulate why I wasn’t in love with this book, but I think ultimately it comes down to it having tried to incorporate too many elements which never quite came together coherently enough to feel supported and satisfying. The ending, whilst undoubtedly answering a question which had been hanging in my mind for the previous 85% of the book felt too convenient and suddenly resolved; but then I know that might be a ‘me’ thing!
I have great respect for Andrew as a writer and I want to convey the joy I found in seeing such complex themes explored in such a nuanced and elegant way. I think Skin has a lot of elements that make a truly fantastic novel and there is no doubt that the author’s writing style is stunning - but it just didn’t hit the top spot for me. Whilst I wish I could absolutely rave about it, I still enjoyed, and would definitely still recommend.
When Matty’s father, Joe, disappears from London without trace in 1985, Matty spends the summer that follows seeking out answers and trying not to let the trail go cold. DIscovering that the last place Joe was seen was the ponds at Hampstead Heath, Matty goes looking for answers. His mother, Rosa, is content to let him believe that Joe is long dead; however Matty can’t reconcile this. Slipping quietly into the group of regular swimmers at the ponds, Matty gains perspective and understanding of a whole and diverse community that was entirely unbeknownst to him previously. Fourteen years later, still without answers and unable to move on, Matty sets out in search of his father; however the hurdles he encounters en route are enough to almost throw him off course forever.
I thought there was so much of this novel which spoke to my soul; it focuses heavily on identity, the trials of selecting and navigation of the spaces we occupy, and it also revolves around some truly beautiful and enigmatic nature writing; there is particular focus on water and wild swimming - first in the Hampstead ponds, and later in the freezing loughs of Ireland (a theme which I do believe is inspired by the author’s own love of wild and cold water swimming) .
For me, the best and weightiest part of this novel came in the first third of the book. I found Matty to be an intriguing protagonist; carrying an aloofness that remains endearing without edging into disinterest - the undercurrents of isolation and belonging take root early and continue to grow throughout the rest of the book - however, as we move to the later sections and the landscape opens, so does the focus of the novel, and this to me threw it off piste somehow. The plot itself is dynamic (there is a ‘twist’ towards the end of the first section, which I would probably call more of a clever slight of narrative but is very effective - but makes it very hard to write about the book as a whole without giving it away!) and in theory should flow well.. However I honestly found this losing steam around the halfway point and unfortunately never quite regaining it!
I am finding it very hard to pin down or articulate why I wasn’t in love with this book, but I think ultimately it comes down to it having tried to incorporate too many elements which never quite came together coherently enough to feel supported and satisfying. The ending, whilst undoubtedly answering a question which had been hanging in my mind for the previous 85% of the book felt too convenient and suddenly resolved; but then I know that might be a ‘me’ thing!
I have great respect for Andrew as a writer and I want to convey the joy I found in seeing such complex themes explored in such a nuanced and elegant way. I think Skin has a lot of elements that make a truly fantastic novel and there is no doubt that the author’s writing style is stunning - but it just didn’t hit the top spot for me. Whilst I wish I could absolutely rave about it, I still enjoyed, and would definitely still recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Alcoholism and Transphobia
Minor: Domestic abuse and Rape