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morriganorgana's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book takes a simple concept and warps it beautifully: What if Eve wasn't the first? Somehow managing a slow reveal over the course of this short story, Valente manages to construct a surreal, unsettling world that really sinks into your bones. I went into this story thinking that it would be nothing more than another case of Bluebeard's Wife, but was still left simultaneously satisfied and wanting more by the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gore, and Violence
fejreads's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i wish i could write like this. there is something so special to me about the writing style.
i thoroughly enjoyed the book.
i think the major conflict i had was the religious twist at the end. i wish it was something different but at the same time i enjoy a modern spin on biblical stories
i thoroughly enjoyed the book.
i think the major conflict i had was the religious twist at the end. i wish it was something different but at the same time i enjoy a modern spin on biblical stories
Content Warnings
Minor: Gore, Violence, and Blood
thecatconstellation's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I feel like this is hard to review without spoiling the plot, but it’s a dark, Stepford Wives meets Christian mythology kind of deal. I think this was overall an effective and interesting novella, but falls short in tension/mystery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, and Blood
e_flah's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.0
Comfort Me With Apples has an intriguing premise and Valente's writing pulled me in from the beginning. There's an excellent sense of tension that continues to grow as the story unfolds. The reveal was predictable and the primary reason for my 3-star rating.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore and Violence
archaicgambit's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.25
Clever and quick. Not my favourite Valente book but still a great read, her use of figurative language and mythology will always keep me coming back for more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Misogyny, and Violence
mangofandango's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.75
I love Catherynne Valente's work and this was no exception. I enjoy her descriptive writing and the way she weaves stories out of stories, and this is a very brief but potent example of that. I think it helps to understand the references (and I had to look up Semengolf's name to fully understand). But this is a weaving of the tale of Bluebeard and Old Testament Garden of Eden/Lilith/Adam and Eve stuff, which is in a sense a spoiler - you know how these stories go - and yet the way this story unfolds doesn't lose a bit of tension for the knowledge. I read it in a 24 hour period. I am glad to have picked up an autographed copy from my local book shop!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
krhe's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Ojalá hubiera tenido otro twist distinto. El estilo estaba increíble, pero me hubiera gustado que quedara un poco menos sobreexplicado, o que se jugara más con lo truculento en la mente de la protagonista y en su entorno.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, and Gaslighting
alexg52's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence
aardwyrm's review
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Valente's stylized approach to novels, like any experimental art, is always striking and memorable, though this isn't one of the more successful experiments. The prose is luscious, the fairy-tale horror well executed, and nothing's really missing. It just also doesn't add up to anything greater than the sum of its parts. A lot of novellas are short novels. This one is a long short story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Gaslighting
robinsong's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Misogyny and Toxic relationship
Minor: Animal death, Body shaming, Cursing, Cannibalism, and Classism