whatshereads727's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
sineadw9's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
jaw417's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating 3.5.
"What Should Be Wild" is a dark and deep fairytale. There's an incredible undercurrent of meaning to every word and image Fine uses, speaking to ideas of feminism and the divided self. Prepare yourself; this is not a quick read, and about halfway through it felt like moving through molasses to plow through. I still enjoyed the story and writing, but I was chugging up hill to keep going. That's a downside to such beautiful prose; it does flow and wind like the woods at the heart of the story, but I found that slowing me down as I took care not to trip over poignant words and phrases. And though early on Fine sets a dark edge to the story, thing get much darker very quickly about halfway through.
A gorgeous and involving read, but not something to take along to the beach. Save this one for a time when you want something you can simmer in, read deeply into, and that will make you reflect on life, the world, and the things we do to fit neatly into things the way we're told to.
"What Should Be Wild" is a dark and deep fairytale. There's an incredible undercurrent of meaning to every word and image Fine uses, speaking to ideas of feminism and the divided self. Prepare yourself; this is not a quick read, and about halfway through it felt like moving through molasses to plow through. I still enjoyed the story and writing, but I was chugging up hill to keep going. That's a downside to such beautiful prose; it does flow and wind like the woods at the heart of the story, but I found that slowing me down as I took care not to trip over poignant words and phrases. And though early on Fine sets a dark edge to the story, thing get much darker very quickly about halfway through.
A gorgeous and involving read, but not something to take along to the beach. Save this one for a time when you want something you can simmer in, read deeply into, and that will make you reflect on life, the world, and the things we do to fit neatly into things the way we're told to.
bholmes415's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
There was so much to love here in this book - The mix of fairytale tropes with actual historical female experiences, the forest as a character of its own, and the beautiful reflections on what it means to be a woman.
With all of that said, the pacing felt a bit strange at times, especially somewhere in the middle I recall feeling very confused and considered putting the book down. I also struggled through the whole kidnapping situation. It just felt like forced conflict and the creation of an enemy for the sake of it. The beginning and end of the book were by far the best and all the traveling around the city and the bits with Rafe were the worst.
I did read an interview that Julia Fine did on this book and that quite honestly clarified a lot and made me like the book a bit more than when I finished it.
I really think it could benefit from another read in future now that I understand to expect a coming of age story that reflects the past present and future of what it means to grow into being a woman.
With all of that said, the pacing felt a bit strange at times, especially somewhere in the middle I recall feeling very confused and considered putting the book down. I also struggled through the whole kidnapping situation. It just felt like forced conflict and the creation of an enemy for the sake of it. The beginning and end of the book were by far the best and all the traveling around the city and the bits with Rafe were the worst.
I did read an interview that Julia Fine did on this book and that quite honestly clarified a lot and made me like the book a bit more than when I finished it.
I really think it could benefit from another read in future now that I understand to expect a coming of age story that reflects the past present and future of what it means to grow into being a woman.
stitcherupper's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
suzanneruth's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-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
2.5
hoosgracie's review against another edition
2.0
I tried to like this. The premise was interesting, but I got tired of the whiny characters. I was also put off by the narrator (I was listening to it) as the accents were American, but based on the plot it seemed like the setting should be England or Europe. It's rare for me, but I did not finish this.
larissalee's review against another edition
4.0
Actual Rating: {3.5/5 stars}
First Glance:
My wife’s coworker gave her this book after hearing about some of the other books I’ve read. She said it was my kind of weird. Considering the description includes a family curse and the power to kill at the slightest touch, I figured she was right.
Positive Bits:
I happen to enjoy stories that switch perspectives, as long as we’re given clear guidance on who the speaker is for each section. The author did so throughout this book, swapping from the main character Maisie to her female ancestors to build the story. It played an important role in fleshing out the family curse and Maisie’s personal experience of it. Each change in perspective was clearly marked.
Magical realism is that dark kind of lovely to read. It always feels like zooming into a story with magic, whereas we often view it from high above. Instead of showing me how hard it is to live with deadly touch, the author has Maisie weeding the garden by touching certain vines at their base (efficient!). Her actions have a hesitant kind of grace, born of necessity as she dances around touching the living things in her life. I think the real beauty of magical realism is in how successfully it brings magic into our reality, playing it out to its obvious conclusions.
The story of Maisie’s family and the ancestors we meet are tragic and deeply intertwined with Maisie’s own story. Each is fleshed out in a way that builds someone with their own personality and goals, rather than a prop to tell the main character’s story. The other characters in the cast (outside of her family) are equally well told, allowing you to ride along with Maisie while understanding the actions and motives of those around her. Any surprises are based on purposeful plot points, rather than accidental plot holes.
Less Enjoyable Bits:
I struggled with what to rate this book, honestly. In my personal rating system, I used 1-10 as options; the 3.5 stars would be 7 in that system, listed as “the book was good, but there were plot holes or tropes that got in the way of full enjoyment – will not keep.” To be fair, “will not keep” just means I have limited shelf space and likely won’t reread this book.
As for the things that got in the way of full enjoyment, there’s not a lot of specifics I can give without ruining the plot. I found that the primary and secondary antagonists we meet just don’t sit well with me. Maisie is made a victim and rests in that place for quite a while, making me frustrated and uncomfortable with her lethargy in the face of being misused. Later, the “climax” kind of fizzles out with the main antagonist not antagonizing Maisie at all once they finally meet. The ending is what I expected it to be, but it was built up to something dramatic only to be solved with a handshake, so to speak.
Because of the ending more than anything else, I don’t know how I’d recommend this book to someone. If asked about this book directly or asked for suggestions on books with magical realism done well, I’d say it’s an interesting read and definitely weird in a good way. But I don’t think this book will be one I choose to suggest to others outside of that window.
Is it worth the coin? Yes – if you’re looking for a book with magical realism and a dark family history, this is a good choice.
First Glance:
My wife’s coworker gave her this book after hearing about some of the other books I’ve read. She said it was my kind of weird. Considering the description includes a family curse and the power to kill at the slightest touch, I figured she was right.
Positive Bits:
I happen to enjoy stories that switch perspectives, as long as we’re given clear guidance on who the speaker is for each section. The author did so throughout this book, swapping from the main character Maisie to her female ancestors to build the story. It played an important role in fleshing out the family curse and Maisie’s personal experience of it. Each change in perspective was clearly marked.
Magical realism is that dark kind of lovely to read. It always feels like zooming into a story with magic, whereas we often view it from high above. Instead of showing me how hard it is to live with deadly touch, the author has Maisie weeding the garden by touching certain vines at their base (efficient!). Her actions have a hesitant kind of grace, born of necessity as she dances around touching the living things in her life. I think the real beauty of magical realism is in how successfully it brings magic into our reality, playing it out to its obvious conclusions.
The story of Maisie’s family and the ancestors we meet are tragic and deeply intertwined with Maisie’s own story. Each is fleshed out in a way that builds someone with their own personality and goals, rather than a prop to tell the main character’s story. The other characters in the cast (outside of her family) are equally well told, allowing you to ride along with Maisie while understanding the actions and motives of those around her. Any surprises are based on purposeful plot points, rather than accidental plot holes.
Less Enjoyable Bits:
I struggled with what to rate this book, honestly. In my personal rating system, I used 1-10 as options; the 3.5 stars would be 7 in that system, listed as “the book was good, but there were plot holes or tropes that got in the way of full enjoyment – will not keep.” To be fair, “will not keep” just means I have limited shelf space and likely won’t reread this book.
As for the things that got in the way of full enjoyment, there’s not a lot of specifics I can give without ruining the plot. I found that the primary and secondary antagonists we meet just don’t sit well with me. Maisie is made a victim and rests in that place for quite a while, making me frustrated and uncomfortable with her lethargy in the face of being misused. Later, the “climax” kind of fizzles out with the main antagonist not antagonizing Maisie at all once they finally meet. The ending is what I expected it to be, but it was built up to something dramatic only to be solved with a handshake, so to speak.
Because of the ending more than anything else, I don’t know how I’d recommend this book to someone. If asked about this book directly or asked for suggestions on books with magical realism done well, I’d say it’s an interesting read and definitely weird in a good way. But I don’t think this book will be one I choose to suggest to others outside of that window.
Is it worth the coin? Yes – if you’re looking for a book with magical realism and a dark family history, this is a good choice.
rebeccajanereads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I don't know what to make it this book. If you suspend some disbelief and think of it as an odyssey, that helps. It still felt a bit fragmented to me though.
I also disliked one of the narrators. Her voice was lovely but it sounded like she was reading the news, not a novel.
I also disliked one of the narrators. Her voice was lovely but it sounded like she was reading the news, not a novel.