jpark's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
quillcg's review
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Review:
As someone who loves history and historical fiction, I was curious about King of the Armadillos by Wendy Chin-Tanner because it highlights a part of American history that I had never heard of. Chin-Tanner’s historical research shines through on every page, and I learned a lot about Hansen’s disease and Carville as an institution. Another thing Chin-Tanner does well is that she lets her characters be fully human, portraying them as just as messy, imperfect, and multifaceted as we consider people today. She confronts the nuances of Victor’s situation head on, acknowledging that Carville was simultaneously an oppressive institution that sought to control its inhabitants and a safe haven for them, in which they could live lives of relative comfort and community while receiving world-class medical treatment. She also addresses the complex racial dynamics that shape the interactions between Victor and the other characters. The result is a rich historical portrait of an often-overlooked time, place, and perspective in American history.
Although the writing in King of the Armadillos is quite good, especially for a debut, I did find that the book has some pacing issues. Victor’s story at Carville is engaging and interesting, but the book’s long forays into his past or the lives of his family members led his story to lose all momentum. At times, I had to push myself to continue reading. My other complaint is that ending lacks a sense of resolution, and as a result feels rather tepid—especially considering how much time the book spends building up Victor’s love for music, longing for his mother, and desire to enter the wider world. There is no reason Chin-Tanner could not have at least included an epilogue explaining what happened to Victor after he left Carville.
The Run-Down:
You will probably like King of the Armadillos if . . .
· You want to read a detailed and nuanced piece of historical fiction
· You don’t mind a slower-paced read
You might not like King of the Armadillos if . . .
· You prefer single POV books
· You prefer a traditional three-act structure novel
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Classism, Alcoholism, Forced institutionalization, Toxic friendship, Medical trauma, Medical content, Infidelity, Racial slurs, and Ableism
Moderate: Misogyny, Pregnancy, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, and Child death
Minor: Animal cruelty, Suicide, and War
i_have_a_book_problem's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
fleurdevie's review
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lfbennett407's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
bethfishreads's review
5.0
Beautifully crafted story of a young boy's experience with Hansen's disease in 1950s America.
Victor, born in China but currently living in New York with his father and brother, is diagnosed with Hansen's disease (leprosy) when he's 15 years old. Because Victor's father is a U.S. veteran, Victor is eligible for government health care; in 1954, that means being transferred to Carville, a hospital community in Louisiana.
The years Victor spent at Carville were transformative. Besides undergoing surgery and other medical treatments for his Hansen's, Victor met other patients of all ages, some who seemed better off than he was and others who suffered the ravages of the disease. This was also the first time Victor had ever lived without family nearby; his fears were compounded by his initial loneliness.
During his quarantine, he was also exposed to some of the worst parts of midcentury America and the South, namely prejudices of all kinds. But life in Carville wasn't all bad. While there, Victor graduated from high school, made friends, and had his first crush on a girl. He also had the opportunity to learn to play piano--though meant as an activity to strengthen his hands, Victor excelled at music and found a lifelong passion.
This novel is based on the author's father's real-life experiences. Her descriptions of the Carville campus, the medical treatments, and life within the compound are based on her father's stories as well thorough research.
All together, this is an excellent, complex novel with easy to imagine characters. Chin-Tanner gives us quite a lot to think about.
I read the first half of the novel in print, but listened to the second half, because I didn't want to stop reading when I had to get some chores done. Two notes on the audiobook: (1) Fedor Chin's performance was wonderful. He captured the characters' personalities and mood and honored the author's style. (2) I was surprised and delighted to discover that the audiobook ends with a conversation between the author and her father. Here we learn about his real-life experiences and the inspiration for Chin-Tanner's book. This conversation is not included in the print book.
Another note: I first heard of Carville when I read The Sanctuary of Outcasts by Neil White in 2009. White had been incarcerated in Carville, which was also a federal prison. If you want another look at Carville a few decades after Victor's story, I recommend this book.
Thanks to the publishers for review copies in various formats.
Victor, born in China but currently living in New York with his father and brother, is diagnosed with Hansen's disease (leprosy) when he's 15 years old. Because Victor's father is a U.S. veteran, Victor is eligible for government health care; in 1954, that means being transferred to Carville, a hospital community in Louisiana.
The years Victor spent at Carville were transformative. Besides undergoing surgery and other medical treatments for his Hansen's, Victor met other patients of all ages, some who seemed better off than he was and others who suffered the ravages of the disease. This was also the first time Victor had ever lived without family nearby; his fears were compounded by his initial loneliness.
During his quarantine, he was also exposed to some of the worst parts of midcentury America and the South, namely prejudices of all kinds. But life in Carville wasn't all bad. While there, Victor graduated from high school, made friends, and had his first crush on a girl. He also had the opportunity to learn to play piano--though meant as an activity to strengthen his hands, Victor excelled at music and found a lifelong passion.
This novel is based on the author's father's real-life experiences. Her descriptions of the Carville campus, the medical treatments, and life within the compound are based on her father's stories as well thorough research.
All together, this is an excellent, complex novel with easy to imagine characters. Chin-Tanner gives us quite a lot to think about.
I read the first half of the novel in print, but listened to the second half, because I didn't want to stop reading when I had to get some chores done. Two notes on the audiobook: (1) Fedor Chin's performance was wonderful. He captured the characters' personalities and mood and honored the author's style. (2) I was surprised and delighted to discover that the audiobook ends with a conversation between the author and her father. Here we learn about his real-life experiences and the inspiration for Chin-Tanner's book. This conversation is not included in the print book.
Another note: I first heard of Carville when I read The Sanctuary of Outcasts by Neil White in 2009. White had been incarcerated in Carville, which was also a federal prison. If you want another look at Carville a few decades after Victor's story, I recommend this book.
Thanks to the publishers for review copies in various formats.
wamorrison95's review
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
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