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thogek's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Creatures of Passage is an unusual novel in today's landscape, but one I'm glad I got to experience.
The cultural background formed by mostly Gullah peoples making (or perhaps passing through) their lives in the poor DC neighborhood of Anacostia in what feels like an alternate-universe version of the United States but sometimes doesn't, woven through with various elements of what might be called urban fantasy or magical realism but so smoothly so that every weave clearly belongs right where it is, and told from a richly fluid word-of-mouth storyteller-historian point of view that here and there touches on the poetic, all delivers a rich story experience built on top of what it otherwise a relatively simple story.
Creatures of Passage is just different and odd enough that I don't know that I ever would have found it myself if I hadn't happened across its foggy blue cover in a LibraryThing Early Reviewers giveaway. I came to much appreciate my seconds minutes hours with it, though I had no way of knowing this at the time... ;-)
The cultural background formed by mostly Gullah peoples making (or perhaps passing through) their lives in the poor DC neighborhood of Anacostia in what feels like an alternate-universe version of the United States but sometimes doesn't, woven through with various elements of what might be called urban fantasy or magical realism but so smoothly so that every weave clearly belongs right where it is, and told from a richly fluid word-of-mouth storyteller-historian point of view that here and there touches on the poetic, all delivers a rich story experience built on top of what it otherwise a relatively simple story.
Creatures of Passage is just different and odd enough that I don't know that I ever would have found it myself if I hadn't happened across its foggy blue cover in a LibraryThing Early Reviewers giveaway. I came to much appreciate my seconds minutes hours with it, though I had no way of knowing this at the time... ;-)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Cursing and Suicide
your_true_shelf's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Suicide
gummistovlar's review against another edition
dark
I'm grappling with how to describe this book, but I'm sure I'll be thinking about it for a long time.
It was a very challenging and unsettling read at times - content warning for child sexual abuse (including the abuser's perspective at several points, so please take care of yourself if that's not something you're ok to read), a range of mental health issues and substance use.
It was a very challenging and unsettling read at times - content warning for child sexual abuse (including the abuser's perspective at several points, so please take care of yourself if that's not something you're ok to read), a range of mental health issues and substance use.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug use, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Murder, and War
chaoticmissadventures's review against another edition
4.0
Highly original, incredibly well written. This is exactly what I love about the Women's Prize long list, the books are vastly different, and things that I often had not seen around.
This is less about Nephthys and her taxi then it is about multiple points of view surrounding the death of Nephthys brother Osiris, and a local pedophile and his victims.
The story rolls through the community, with characters floating in and out, it is difficult to keep track of the time periods - which is intentional, to keep the feel of hauntings and magic. It is a quick read, with a dark undertone.
This is less about Nephthys and her taxi then it is about multiple points of view surrounding the death of Nephthys brother Osiris, and a local pedophile and his victims.
The story rolls through the community, with characters floating in and out, it is difficult to keep track of the time periods - which is intentional, to keep the feel of hauntings and magic. It is a quick read, with a dark undertone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Suicide, and Death of parent
apworden's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, and Racism
jennieandrews's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse
serendipitysbooks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
*Women’s Prize Longlist 2022 - Book 16*
With Creatures of Passage I’m pretty sure I’ve saved the best until last. While I want to give it time to settle I’m virtually certain that, despite the stiff competition, this is my favourite of the sixteen contenders. It is certainly the most challenging not only in terms of structure and style (although I didn’t find it difficult, just complex), but also in terms of content. Be sure to check for trigger warnings before you pick it up. However, the reader is richly rewarded for their effort. The book is stunning and the comparisons with Toni Morrison are not overstated.
Set in Anacostia, a suburb of Washington DC, in 1977, at its simplest it is the story of the Kinwell family - twins Nephthys and Osiris, Osiris’s daughter Amber, and her son Dash. But it is also about so much more. It blends Egyptian mythology, ghosts, alternate history and magical realism with the awful realities of grief, generational trauma, racism, war, child abuse and other harms we do to each other . It is very specific and intimate, while also being universal and timeless. It is incredibly rich, multi-layered and nuanced with lush, poetic prose. Motifs, language and storylines repeat, cycle back and twine around each other. Somehow Yejide has managed to link into a rich literary lineage - not just Morrison but Zora Hurston Neale, Alice Walker and of course the African oral folklore tradition- while remaining unique not derivative. The audio, narrated by the author herself, was compelling and riveting. I was totally absorbed by this story that both was and wasn’t of this world. I loved this book so much that I plan to buy a physical copy and reread - both rarities for me. I’ll also be prioritising her earlier novel.
This won’t be for every reader but I was blown away by this mesmerising tale.
With Creatures of Passage I’m pretty sure I’ve saved the best until last. While I want to give it time to settle I’m virtually certain that, despite the stiff competition, this is my favourite of the sixteen contenders. It is certainly the most challenging not only in terms of structure and style (although I didn’t find it difficult, just complex), but also in terms of content. Be sure to check for trigger warnings before you pick it up. However, the reader is richly rewarded for their effort. The book is stunning and the comparisons with Toni Morrison are not overstated.
Set in Anacostia, a suburb of Washington DC, in 1977, at its simplest it is the story of the Kinwell family - twins Nephthys and Osiris, Osiris’s daughter Amber, and her son Dash. But it is also about so much more. It blends Egyptian mythology, ghosts, alternate history and magical realism with the awful realities of grief, generational trauma, racism, war, child abuse and other harms we do to each other . It is very specific and intimate, while also being universal and timeless. It is incredibly rich, multi-layered and nuanced with lush, poetic prose. Motifs, language and storylines repeat, cycle back and twine around each other. Somehow Yejide has managed to link into a rich literary lineage - not just Morrison but Zora Hurston Neale, Alice Walker and of course the African oral folklore tradition- while remaining unique not derivative. The audio, narrated by the author herself, was compelling and riveting. I was totally absorbed by this story that both was and wasn’t of this world. I loved this book so much that I plan to buy a physical copy and reread - both rarities for me. I’ll also be prioritising her earlier novel.
This won’t be for every reader but I was blown away by this mesmerising tale.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism and Racism
anniesidd's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Racism, Sexual assault, and Murder
msrichardsreads89's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
4.0
Poetic prose, atmospheric writing, and haunting characters. It is definitely a book that will stick with me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Pedophilia and Rape
erinshinereads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts