scrow1022's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful (and perfect illustrations). Lovely to think about and sink into.
ashleylm's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't get it (or, I got it, and didn't think it was all that.)
It didn't read as a short story to me, it read as a treatment for a longer book. Characters were names, events happened, and it was over. It's like reading a non-literary version of a myth, it's just there. Oh, and the events that happened? Not interesting. So what I'd been hoping to be a delicate, magical, wonderful experience, just wasn't. (Another metaphor: it's like reading the recipe, instead of eating the meal.)
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
It didn't read as a short story to me, it read as a treatment for a longer book. Characters were names, events happened, and it was over. It's like reading a non-literary version of a myth, it's just there. Oh, and the events that happened? Not interesting. So what I'd been hoping to be a delicate, magical, wonderful experience, just wasn't. (Another metaphor: it's like reading the recipe, instead of eating the meal.)
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
egelantier's review against another edition
4.0
beautifully simple short story (you can read it for free online, the link is in the summary) about a (unnamed in text, but obviously jewish) diaspora carrying their hidden and magical homeland with them in the mint growing in their gardens of balcony flowerpots. melancholy, sharp, gorgeous, full of hope.
Even in the city, Miriam could always see the moon from her balcony. It rose and set in its proper courses—no magic in that—but clouds broke apart as it passed between apartment buildings, the city’s harsh brightness faded, and for a few precious minutes silver light poured down. Sometimes, on Friday evenings, she found it draped with aurora, green and indigo streaming around the silver.
City dwellers treasure their private scraps of outside air, and the balconies around hers were often occupied. Laughter wafted from late-night parties. Tobacco and marijuana and grill smoke insinuated themselves into her contemplation. But she never saw anyone else looking at the moon, and presumed that no one outside her private scrap of nation could see it.
Even in the city, Miriam could always see the moon from her balcony. It rose and set in its proper courses—no magic in that—but clouds broke apart as it passed between apartment buildings, the city’s harsh brightness faded, and for a few precious minutes silver light poured down. Sometimes, on Friday evenings, she found it draped with aurora, green and indigo streaming around the silver.
City dwellers treasure their private scraps of outside air, and the balconies around hers were often occupied. Laughter wafted from late-night parties. Tobacco and marijuana and grill smoke insinuated themselves into her contemplation. But she never saw anyone else looking at the moon, and presumed that no one outside her private scrap of nation could see it.
irasobrietate's review
4.0
Absolutely gorgeous story about a nation that is defined not by its physical boundaries but by the hearts of its people.
princesscochlea's review
5.0
This actually made me cry a little, in the very best way. Definitely my new favorite short story, and I may just have to get a pot of mint for my windowsill. Mint, joy, magic, and Jewish fantasy: a true delight.
echthroi's review
5.0
I love secret magic-land stories, and I really like how this one interweaves personal stories into the roots of its infinite mint garden.
sarrie's review
5.0
A short fantastical look at how a culture grows and evolves, with a fantastical twist. I loved it.
kpasteka's review
4.0
I enjoyed this series of connected vignettes, the underlying theme of Jewish diaspora underlined the magical realism of the story without needing to be explicitly discussed. I loved the author's dreamy watercolor writing that fit the subject perfectly. This is a story that I will end up recommending to just about everyone even if it's not their usual thing because it's a big payoff for such a small time investment.
Quote: "The laws of Tikanu may be added to, but never lost. So it is that holidays grow, like mint, from the new crises of each season."
Diversity highlights- Jewish characters/setting, LGBTQ+ character
Quote: "The laws of Tikanu may be added to, but never lost. So it is that holidays grow, like mint, from the new crises of each season."
Diversity highlights- Jewish characters/setting, LGBTQ+ character
booksandbosox's review
3.0
Probably more like 3.5 stars. Very interesting concept, with a land that exists in small hidden places in and around our world. I liked the way it was told as well.
littlecat's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0