thewellbitch's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I don't know what to say about this book. It's unique and I'm glad to have read it because it's a whole-ass experience, but at the same time I don't think I can recommend it because I can't think of anyone who would enjoy it lmao. The writing is poetic and musical, the characters are vibrant, the plot was interesting, but it was still hard. Listening to the audiobook at the same time I was reading was definitely the right choice for me, I couldn't have finished it if it was one or the other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexism, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Child death, Alcohol, Sexual violence, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Homophobia, and Infidelity
theinkwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Honestly kind of disappointed because I’d expected to love this but I really just didn’t. This had some elements that I really loved (the cors, the pum-pums, the food, the overall lore and vibe of Popisho), but that didn’t really make up for the things I didn’t like. This book was just too long and could have used some editing. It’s so long and the narrative meanders so much that it’s really easy to forget that the main plot line is taking place over the course of a day. I can understand that it meanders so much because Ross is having to lay the groundwork so the reader can understand what’s been leading up to the events of this day, but it really needed some tightening up because the pace absolutely crawled. Also, I like magical realism, but not when it gets so magical that it loses the realism like it did in this book. It’s just not quite the right fit for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Alcohol
Minor: Blood, Death, and Homophobia
faithe's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Miscarriage, Body horror, Death, Medical content, Animal death, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Pregnancy, Sexism, Suicide, Homophobia, Infertility, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Mental illness, Self harm, Death of parent, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, and Religious bigotry
audreyxine's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I haven't the faintest idea even where to begin. This book was so brilliant, so challenging, and so bizarre. It covers cast grounds and explores so many corners of the human experience. I have so many quotes from this book that will stick with me forever. The world of Popisho is so surreal and yet it feels so tangible.
My biggest criticism is the length. I would have preferred about 50 less pages. The momentum was hard to keep up, especially with all the jumping around between characters.
For anyone thinking about picking this one up, I strongly recommend binging it. It needs to be a fever dream in order to make sense.
My biggest criticism is the length. I would have preferred about 50 less pages. The momentum was hard to keep up, especially with all the jumping around between characters.
For anyone thinking about picking this one up, I strongly recommend binging it. It needs to be a fever dream in order to make sense.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Classism, Excrement, Infidelity, Grief, Homophobia, Suicide, Vomit, Child death, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
whatannikareads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.25
this book definitely fits under the "I've never read anything like this and I probably never will again" category. you can tell the author poured her entire heart and soul into the book. I so appreciate the uniqueness of almost all elements of the book: magical realism told through a Caribbean cultural lens, the intertwining of (over) four different character storylines, the colorful intricate descriptions that set this story apart from any other. it was like reading murakami on drugs. the deliberate choice of words was evident in how the Popisho islands played out in my mind. I love that buildings were green and lungs were on attached to people's hips and moths were consumed as a form of addictive drugs.
the author was ambitious in her work, and I think that is why it's not for everyone, because you must be ambitious to finish the book. it took a lot of brain power to keep up with the names of characters, jumping across different timelines without warning and the switching of character perspectives. it is a slow read and at times it made me want to put it down. i think the ending was a bit quick compared to the rest of the book, given the fact it essentially takes place over 1 day. but since it took a lot of energy to complete it, I do feel satisfied in not having given up on it.
the author was ambitious in her work, and I think that is why it's not for everyone, because you must be ambitious to finish the book. it took a lot of brain power to keep up with the names of characters, jumping across different timelines without warning and the switching of character perspectives. it is a slow read and at times it made me want to put it down. i think the ending was a bit quick compared to the rest of the book, given the fact it essentially takes place over 1 day. but since it took a lot of energy to complete it, I do feel satisfied in not having given up on it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual harassment, Addiction, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Sexual content, Body horror, Drug use, Medical content, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Suicide
popcornreading's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Addiction, and Homophobia
mmccombs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
This was like reading a dream! Like one of those dreams that is mostly nice but also vaguely unnerving in a what-is-happening kind of way. I usually do my reviews right after finishing, but I knew this was a book that would benefit from deeper reflection afterwards and I have enjoyed it much more with distance! The fantasy elements were fantastical and strange but also very cozy, it felt like inhabiting a folktale. It was kind of hard to get into, but ultimately I finished feeling fulfilled and joyful having read it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Death, Miscarriage, and Addiction
Moderate: Homophobia and Sexual content
carlyalynnsia's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Racism, and Body horror
madelynfrank's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I got this book from the library because it had a pretty cover. And now it’s one of my top favorites.
Beautiful prose, interesting and fun setting. Many extremely unique and strong characters and I love them all. It was a joyful escapist magical fantasy that still spoke on food scarcity, complex colonialism, addiction, misogyny. Smart and special and I wish I had more.
Beautiful prose, interesting and fun setting. Many extremely unique and strong characters and I love them all. It was a joyful escapist magical fantasy that still spoke on food scarcity, complex colonialism, addiction, misogyny. Smart and special and I wish I had more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Sexism, Addiction, Classism, Death, Genocide, Grief, Alcoholism, Racism, Religious bigotry, Animal death, Colonisation, Drug abuse, Miscarriage, Alcohol, Drug use, Gore, Homophobia, Infertility, and Infidelity
menomica's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Everyone in Popisho was born with a little something-something, boy, a little something extra. The local name was cors. Magic, but more than magic.
Magic went only so far and no more.
This book was very nice. I really loved the world-building and how thoroughly it was done without seeming forced. The writing itself is very enjoyable. It alternates between formal and casual in a way that doesn’t feel forced or disruptive.
I love the way all the characters interacted with each other. Developing their own seperate storylines and character growth and then mixing with each other before splitting apart and developing some more. It really helped to solidify the sense of a small island community.
The book talks about issues that fit both within the magical world and real life. It tackles abuse, addiction, homophobia in ways that are very relatable. There’s also a lot of gayness and I love that.
All in all, I think this book is really sweet. A nice slow read to slip into on your couch while sipping a hot coffee.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Misogyny and Homophobia
Minor: Infidelity, Domestic abuse, and Suicide