Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - Homo sapienne

I quite enjoyed this book - it is one of those in which the majority of the plot takes place in the characters’ thoughts, rather than within the action. I’m a huge fan of interconnected but separate stories, and this book accomplishes that perfectly. I’d definitely want to read an expanded novel where we learn more about these characters’ lives, but it was perfect for what this book was. The writing flowed nicely - the translation of this one was well done. Definitely a book to inspire reflection on human motivations and the tiny moments that make up life.

Content Warnings

maisierosereads's review against another edition

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challenging 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

4.0

"Crimson" is at once poetic and raw, showing the perspectives of five interconnected queer characters from Nuuk, Greenland. All of the characters are flawed, but in such a realistic way that I think that every queer reader will be able to relate to at least one of them. They do also all undergo some level of development or progression; even those who might not seem loveable seem worthy of forgiveness.

If you like contemporary literary fiction driven by complex characters, this book is worth checking out.

I read the English translation of this novel by Anna Halagar, which she translated from the author's own Danish translation of the original Greenlandic text. I received my copy from Queer Book Box as part of my subscription - you can <a href="https://t.co/f94zBJdd2E?amp=1">get £5 off your first box using my referral link</a>

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dianahincureads's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful fast-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

“Crimson” by Niviaq Korneliussen (Original title: “HOMO sapienne”)

This Greenlandic little gem is filled with reflections on sexuality, the meaning of life, and colonialism. Greenland was a Danish colony until 1953. Before reading this novel, I have never thought of Greenland under Danish rule. Niviaq Korneliussen explores identity and national identity alike. I honestly want to learn more about Greenland this year. When the word ‘colonialism’ pops into my head I instantly associate it with Western Europe because that was at the core of my studies. I need to branch out more!

“Crimson” is a short novel that plays with multiperspectivity. The same story unfolds and complexifies through the eyes of 5 characters. Revisiting the same scenes from different perspectives changes the tone and adds layers to the story. Its collage-like structure adds to the reading experience as well. Prose, text messages, questionnaires. Complex simplicity.

The novel has been translated into Danish (by the author), French, German, Swedish, Norwegian, and ROMANIAN. The English translation has two titles depending on the audience: “Crimson” (UK) and “Last Night in Nuuk” (US).

One of my favourite quotes:

“Peter. One man. Three years. Thousands of plans. Millions of dinner invitations. Vacuuming, dishwashing and cleaning, rushing on forever towards infinity. False smiles turning uglier. Dry kisses stiffening like desiccated fish. Bad sex should be avoided at all costs. My fakes orgasms get harder to believe as time goes by. But we’re still making plans.
The days become darker. The void in me expands. My love no longer has a taste. My youth’s turning old. What keeps me alive is dying. My life has become worn, aged. Life? What life? My heart? It’s a machine.” (p. 6)

Highly recommend the novel!

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