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libraryraven's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Police brutality, and Lesbophobia
tinyjude's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
A beautifully written novella that tackles themes such as police brutality, lesbophobia, xenophobia, racism, physical abuse, societal expectations... as well as queer love, female friendship, fantasy, magic and a beautiful and nuance portrayal of queer life at that time.
In some occassions it reminded me of Stone Butch Blues because of the portrayal of lesbian (especially femme and butch identities) women and the difficulties they faced at the time. In that sense, this novella was heartbreaking.
However, the flirting, the longing gazes, the sweet intimate moments, the close relationships between these queer women were delightful. I felt in love with Helen/Spike (my god, no wonder everyone went crazy for her. I was going insane reading it) and Haskel (oh, Haskel). The inclusion of art, the descriptions especially of the last painting which is the gorgeous cover of this novella, the artistry vibes of all, noir films with lesbians (looking at you 'bound')... they were just marvelous.
Love and art can definitely be magical.
In some occassions it reminded me of Stone Butch Blues because of the portrayal of lesbian (especially femme and butch identities) women and the difficulties they faced at the time. In that sense, this novella was heartbreaking.
However, the flirting, the longing gazes, the sweet intimate moments, the close relationships between these queer women were delightful. I felt in love with Helen/Spike (my god, no wonder everyone went crazy for her. I was going insane reading it) and Haskel (oh, Haskel). The inclusion of art, the descriptions especially of the last painting which is the gorgeous cover of this novella, the artistry vibes of all, noir films with lesbians (looking at you 'bound')... they were just marvelous.
Love and art can definitely be magical.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Lesbophobia, and Sexual harassment
buildingtaste's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I wish this book was either shorter or longer, if that makes sense. The back jacket makes a point of there being six different women involved, and this is technically true, but the majority of the story is devoted to just two of them and their relationship. The magic is just enough, neither showily out of place nor so subtle it doesn't warrant its inclusion. Reading the penultimate chapter and looking back at the cover made me tear up. I hope Haskel and Emily had a beautiful life.
Despite the long list of content warnings this book is on the whole a reaffirming read, it just doesn't gloss over the historic conditions for lesbians and Asian americans in the 1940s.
Despite the long list of content warnings this book is on the whole a reaffirming read, it just doesn't gloss over the historic conditions for lesbians and Asian americans in the 1940s.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Lesbophobia, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
oatmilkdyke's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Quick fantasy novella that takes place in San Francisco, following the adventures of a pulp novel painter, Haskel. You are wrapped in this fantastical world, and can feel the care in which the author takes in her setting. I found it hard to get immersed in the science fiction elements of the story at first, but once the plot got going I settled into the world that was built. There were some scenes that were very hard to read, as they depicted racism against Asian Americans in early to mid 1900s San Francisco. And still, I am not quite sure how I feel after reading those scenes, and do not necessarily think that they served the plot. The Asian American characters did not feel fully realized, and this particular scene was extreme in its depiction of stereotype and use of racial slurs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Homophobia
Minor: Blood and War
rheah's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
4.75
A mix of historical fiction and magical realism that explores the 40's lesbian culture in San Francisco following a group of lesbian and bi women and featuring a butch/femme couple falling in love.
It's short but impactful. I wished the magical elements were incorporated a bit better
It's short but impactful. I wished the magical elements were incorporated a bit better
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Domestic abuse
sallysimply's review against another edition
2.0
Sadly, this book did not really work for me. The very beginning totally sucked me in, and I liked the magical bits. But for a book where magic ends up being so central to what happened, there was almost no magic and what magic there was felt super rushed. The way the characters communicate was perplexing to me and didn't feel at all natural (especially the scene where Haskel explains her background to Emily). I also found the story itself meandering, and not in the way I sometimes like. And I NEVER got over "uno momento," which is incorrect Spanish unless there is some strange 1940s exception that I am unaware of. Sidenote, why is Diego Rivera even in this book?
I contemplated DNFing it at multiple points (which is almost impressive, considering how short it is). With just the last long chapter left, I skipped to the final chapter to see how it ends and see if it was worth finishing. It was intriguing enough for me to then go back to the long chapter and finish it up. That was definitely the most interesting part of the entire book, besides the opening section.
So, the beginning and the end get this up to 2 stars for me.
I contemplated DNFing it at multiple points (which is almost impressive, considering how short it is). With just the last long chapter left, I skipped to the final chapter to see how it ends and see if it was worth finishing. It was intriguing enough for me to then go back to the long chapter and finish it up. That was definitely the most interesting part of the entire book, besides the opening section.
So, the beginning and the end get this up to 2 stars for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual assault, Xenophobia, and Police brutality
Minor: Misogyny
emdash8212's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, and Police brutality
merakis's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
this story worked well for me for some reason. it was beautifully written, well-paced, and there was foreshadowing since the very first page of the book on how things come full circle in the end. it seems to be mismarketed slightly, seeing as i would classify this as historical, romance and magical realism instead of sci-fi.
keep in mind this is a historical book which means there's subjects like homophobia and transphobia discussed, but they are more so used to display the outlook society had especially during that time.
this is not a book of much plot, we are there to be shown a brink of these characters and their every day lives but mostly haskel, who is ironically the main character of the story.
it has lgbtq+ representation but also slightly shows a picture of how these women protect each other in a different way rather than the typical "physically strong" protagonist role. if you're looking for action, you won't get it here and you also won't get something too dark or deep.
so if you like beautiful writing, a quick read to breeze through, interesting characters to keep you engaged without going into too much character work, lgbtq+ representation (specifically lesbian romance), a whimsical element that makes the story have a slight touch of magic despite being in the real world, then you will probably like this book.
keep in mind this is a historical book which means there's subjects like homophobia and transphobia discussed, but they are more so used to display the outlook society had especially during that time.
this is not a book of much plot, we are there to be shown a brink of these characters and their every day lives but mostly haskel, who is ironically the main character of the story.
it has lgbtq+ representation but also slightly shows a picture of how these women protect each other in a different way rather than the typical "physically strong" protagonist role. if you're looking for action, you won't get it here and you also won't get something too dark or deep.
so if you like beautiful writing, a quick read to breeze through, interesting characters to keep you engaged without going into too much character work, lgbtq+ representation (specifically lesbian romance), a whimsical element that makes the story have a slight touch of magic despite being in the real world, then you will probably like this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexism, Transphobia, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Domestic abuse