delinxw's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
3.5
I have an extremely hard time rating this. It falls somewhere between 3 and 4 when I compare with other books on my lists.
I have such conflicting feelings about this book.
The book started too slow for my liking, so at some point I even thought it would be a DNF for me. Am I glad I finished? Yes and no. Yes, because the story was good, it made me feel all sorts of emotions and I’m ‘glad’ I got to see what happened. But no, because I don’t really see the point in the story ? (That may just be my issue). The ending felt short. Unfinished.
The writing wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t for me I think. Even though I felt ALL the emotions and bookmarked MANY pages, I still don’t feel like I got anything out of it.
I just genuinely don’t know how to feel about this one. I don’t want to rate it lower, because the book itself isn’t bad necessarily. I also don’t want to rate it too high, because I don’t think it’s great.
No matter what I rate it, the fact is that it’s a dark, emotional and horrifying read at times; but I could imagine this happening, even if I don’t want to. I can guarantee that one way or the other this book will make you feel something.
I have such conflicting feelings about this book.
The book started too slow for my liking, so at some point I even thought it would be a DNF for me. Am I glad I finished? Yes and no. Yes, because the story was good, it made me feel all sorts of emotions and I’m ‘glad’ I got to see what happened. But no, because I don’t really see the point in the story ? (That may just be my issue). The ending felt short. Unfinished.
The writing wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t for me I think. Even though I felt ALL the emotions and bookmarked MANY pages, I still don’t feel like I got anything out of it.
I just genuinely don’t know how to feel about this one. I don’t want to rate it lower, because the book itself isn’t bad necessarily. I also don’t want to rate it too high, because I don’t think it’s great.
No matter what I rate it, the fact is that it’s a dark, emotional and horrifying read at times; but I could imagine this happening, even if I don’t want to. I can guarantee that one way or the other this book will make you feel something.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Abandonment, Cancer, Confinement, Cursing, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Violence, Vomit, War, Biphobia, Bullying, Chronic illness, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Death, Excrement, Medical trauma, Child abuse, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Gore
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
5.0
David Vann has created the most vivid and heartbreakingly relatable narrator I've read in years, and he does it in less than 300 pages. It may be short, but Aquarium is an absolute stunner.
In adolescence trouble can arise without warning, suddenly swamping normal life under its waves. Caitlin, at twelve, floats through her days on a raft of routine: she's always the first to school because her mom has to get to work, and after classes are over she walks to the aquarium to while away the hours until quitting time. Caitlin doesn't mind the wait; she loves fish and dreams of one day becoming an ichthyologist so she can study all her favorite species to her heart's content.
At the aquarium she befriends an old man who shows up there every afternoon just like she does. Mostly they talk about the various fish as they watch them float and hover through the tanks. (Added bonus: the book includes pictures of the fish they discuss.) Caitlin isn't afraid of the old man and believes his intentions are pure, but when her mother finds out about him, her discovery sets in motion a violent flood of painful memories that will change their family forever.
That's all the backstory I want to provide. Some books really are better the less you know going in. I will say that thematically this book reminds me of [b:Everything I Never Told You|18693763|Everything I Never Told You|Celeste Ng|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386795198s/18693763.jpg|26542311] by Celeste Ng, another book I read recently and loved. Both books expose the pain that comes from not telling your story to the people who matter most, and that secrets and their eventual revelation can tear a family apart at the seams. Caitlin's raw, honest reflections on a pivotal moment in her adolescent life broke my heart in the best possible way.
Sometimes we don't need a thousand pages to tell a good story. Aquarium is compact and spare, and the more powerful for it. Don't miss this one.
With regards to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for the advance copy. On sale March 3.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
In adolescence trouble can arise without warning, suddenly swamping normal life under its waves. Caitlin, at twelve, floats through her days on a raft of routine: she's always the first to school because her mom has to get to work, and after classes are over she walks to the aquarium to while away the hours until quitting time. Caitlin doesn't mind the wait; she loves fish and dreams of one day becoming an ichthyologist so she can study all her favorite species to her heart's content.
At the aquarium she befriends an old man who shows up there every afternoon just like she does. Mostly they talk about the various fish as they watch them float and hover through the tanks. (Added bonus: the book includes pictures of the fish they discuss.) Caitlin isn't afraid of the old man and believes his intentions are pure, but when her mother finds out about him, her discovery sets in motion a violent flood of painful memories that will change their family forever.
That's all the backstory I want to provide. Some books really are better the less you know going in. I will say that thematically this book reminds me of [b:Everything I Never Told You|18693763|Everything I Never Told You|Celeste Ng|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386795198s/18693763.jpg|26542311] by Celeste Ng, another book I read recently and loved. Both books expose the pain that comes from not telling your story to the people who matter most, and that secrets and their eventual revelation can tear a family apart at the seams. Caitlin's raw, honest reflections on a pivotal moment in her adolescent life broke my heart in the best possible way.
Sometimes we don't need a thousand pages to tell a good story. Aquarium is compact and spare, and the more powerful for it. Don't miss this one.
With regards to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for the advance copy. On sale March 3.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
sjj169's review against another edition
3.0
Twelve year old Caitlyn spends her afternoons at the aquarium. Her over-worked mom buys her a pass so that she can stay there afterschool until her mom gets off work. Caitlyn doesn't mind though because fish are her favorite things.
One afternoon Caitlyn meets an old man that is hanging out at the aquarium. He starts coming everyday to see the fish and to see Caitlyn.
Caitlyn's mom finds out and freaks out. Sure, that the old man is a big old perv bucket and is out to take Caitlyn and run.
Then they find out who the man is and it brings Sheri's past back to haunt her.
Now I understand having a crappy past. Lots of us do...but dammmmmnn this was the most messed up mom.
I was actually uncomfortable reading some of it. I felt dirty. I felt ragey. I felt broken, by a book.
Anything is possible with a parent. Parents are gods. They make us and they destroy us. They warp the world and remake it in their own shape, and that's the world we know forever after. It's the only world. We can't see what it might have looked like otherwise.
Booksource: I won a copy of this book from firstreads at Goodreads. Woot!
Check out my friend Cher's review she loved this one and I adore how Cher does her reviews.
One afternoon Caitlyn meets an old man that is hanging out at the aquarium. He starts coming everyday to see the fish and to see Caitlyn.
Caitlyn's mom finds out and freaks out. Sure, that the old man is a big old perv bucket and is out to take Caitlyn and run.
Then they find out who the man is and it brings Sheri's past back to haunt her.
Now I understand having a crappy past. Lots of us do...but dammmmmnn this was the most messed up mom.
I was actually uncomfortable reading some of it. I felt dirty. I felt ragey. I felt broken, by a book.
Anything is possible with a parent. Parents are gods. They make us and they destroy us. They warp the world and remake it in their own shape, and that's the world we know forever after. It's the only world. We can't see what it might have looked like otherwise.
Booksource: I won a copy of this book from firstreads at Goodreads. Woot!
Check out my friend Cher's review she loved this one and I adore how Cher does her reviews.
gaellesinge4's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
cher_n_books's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars - Utterly amazing.
Unique, captivating, powerful, brilliant. I believe this is only the 2nd five star rating I have given this year, so when I say it was utterly amazing, I mean it. Those ratings are not tossed around lightly in my corner of the world! (The other 5 star rating was what continues to so far be my favorite read of the year thus far, The Orenda ). I started this little novel today and didn't put it down until I had read the very last page; it was that engrossing.
That being said, this is a very difficult, heavy read. Not the prose, as the prose is wonderful, simplistic yet powerful, and flows like honey. What is difficult is the powerful emotions the author evokes. When the main character is in an awkward situation, the reader feels incredibly awkward. When the main character feels terrified, the reader feels terrified. When the main character is in her happy place, the reader also feels instantly relaxed, warm and safe (at the aquarium). And when the main character is with another character that is temporarily insane and full of rage, the reader feels like they are right there in the same room as well.
If you are going to be reading this as an ebook, you must read it on a tablet or other color screen as the author has included vibrant pictures of the aquarium fish that must not be missed. No matter which format you will be reading, have your highlighter close by.
-------------------------------------------
Favorite Quote: Each thing that happens to us, each and every thing, it leaves some dent, and that dent will always be there. Each of us is a walking wreck.
First Sentence: It was a fish so ugly it didn’t seem to be a fish at all.
Unique, captivating, powerful, brilliant. I believe this is only the 2nd five star rating I have given this year, so when I say it was utterly amazing, I mean it. Those ratings are not tossed around lightly in my corner of the world! (The other 5 star rating was what continues to so far be my favorite read of the year thus far, The Orenda ). I started this little novel today and didn't put it down until I had read the very last page; it was that engrossing.
That being said, this is a very difficult, heavy read. Not the prose, as the prose is wonderful, simplistic yet powerful, and flows like honey. What is difficult is the powerful emotions the author evokes. When the main character is in an awkward situation, the reader feels incredibly awkward. When the main character feels terrified, the reader feels terrified. When the main character is in her happy place, the reader also feels instantly relaxed, warm and safe (at the aquarium). And when the main character is with another character that is temporarily insane and full of rage, the reader feels like they are right there in the same room as well.
If you are going to be reading this as an ebook, you must read it on a tablet or other color screen as the author has included vibrant pictures of the aquarium fish that must not be missed. No matter which format you will be reading, have your highlighter close by.
-------------------------------------------
Favorite Quote: Each thing that happens to us, each and every thing, it leaves some dent, and that dent will always be there. Each of us is a walking wreck.
First Sentence: It was a fish so ugly it didn’t seem to be a fish at all.
imandanial's review against another edition
3.0
Well, I cannot blame Sheri for whatever she did to her father dan her daughter, it's inescapable. Plus both of them deserve that for being selfish.
Poor Sheri.
Poor Sheri.
benbert's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition
4.0
A 2015 staff favorite recommended by Becky K.
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__SAquarium%20vann__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__SAquarium%20vann__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
edendecker's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
deals with generational trauma