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siobhan28's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.5
Definitely check the trigger warnings! Such a complex and lyrical book, I've never read anything like it. Blends some Egyptian mythology with magical realism and supernatural themes. The writing is poetic and lyrical
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Suicide, Violence, and Murder
geraldinerowe's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I struggled with this book. It has some fascinating ideas and was excellent in parts, but seemed to be muddled in others. The language, which some have described as beautiful, I found pointlessly pretentious. The story rambled, despite being a short book, and went off on long tangents. But nevertheless kept me reading until the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug use, Violence, Car accident, and War
Minor: Suicide
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
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