ottiedottie's review against another edition
4.0
This book, though it has rich and varied themes, the enormous scope of its universe, this unknowable time travel/magic system, leaning heavily into whimsy and fable-like prose, a cast of intriguing characters... it suffers from
1) a lack of cohesion or some type of exposition to make it clearer- to actually GROUND these events and not make it feel like thoughtless dreams in sequence
2) unearths a lot of interesting stuff for eg about anthropocentrism and the untold story of the masons who built the statue of liberty, immigration etc but just leaves them hanging in the air?
But I did enjoy it and appreciated its dreaminess. I had a similar feeling I think as back when I read The Drowning Girl by Caitlin Kiernan except that was way darker. Plus abstract stories like these are mostly meant to be Experienced. The same way I would watch Disney's Fantasia for example. Experiencing unnamable feelings that you cant even shape with thought much less write with words.
1) a lack of cohesion or some type of exposition to make it clearer- to actually GROUND these events and not make it feel like thoughtless dreams in sequence
2) unearths a lot of interesting stuff for eg about anthropocentrism and the untold story of the masons who built the statue of liberty, immigration etc but just leaves them hanging in the air?
But I did enjoy it and appreciated its dreaminess. I had a similar feeling I think as back when I read The Drowning Girl by Caitlin Kiernan except that was way darker. Plus abstract stories like these are mostly meant to be Experienced. The same way I would watch Disney's Fantasia for example. Experiencing unnamable feelings that you cant even shape with thought much less write with words.
abbylw's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
abroadwell's review against another edition
2.0
I have read too many post-apocalyptic climate disaster novels recently and I was not in the mood for another.
This is not a real critique of the writing, but the theme seems to be very, very common in fiction of the last few years. [See for example [book:Harrow|56376963]].
This is not a real critique of the writing, but the theme seems to be very, very common in fiction of the last few years. [See for example [book:Harrow|56376963]].
nicoleisalwaysreading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
3.25
(Aug. 15) returning to try and wrap my head around this one and still desperately need to discuss it with someone — hmu!!!
juliamason11's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jvord777's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
aprilg0124's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content
More than vanilla sex, includes BDSM, humiliation, and a stunning number of apples in vaginas.