georgina_bawden's review against another edition
4.0
A short, beautifully written novel full of interesting characters drawn quickly with specific details. The story flirts with magic realism, about the aftermath of the disappearance of a magic realism author. The main protagonist is the American translator, and the book considers the perhaps quite peculiar art of translation. A little tonally confusing maybe but by turns funny and moving.
sdugal's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
kdominey's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
midnightinkblot's review against another edition
5.0
I think this is one of the most underrated books ever. Absolutely brilliant and surreal yet so stunning. I'd recommend this to everyone.
pawstoodream's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
andheaventoo's review against another edition
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.75
Feels like a very incomplete book. I have no doubt at all about this writer's capabilities. She writes movingly and beautifully in rare moments of stillness throughout this book, but it's so bizarrely paced, it doesn't feel ready to be published at all. It definitely doesn't feel anything like a novel, that's for sure, and unfortunately, that doesn't feel intentional. Just overall an extremely disjointed book. I was eager to wrap it up and just move on to something that wasn't in such a rush to get through its own best parts to focus on all the most unbearable components. Honestly, after writing that, I'm gonna bump the rating down even further though the writing doesn't deserve that low of a rating. Just a bad reading experience.
oatylime's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.25
A bit too poetic and not enough mystery - I think the poetic beauty was lost on me
weavedreamer's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0