Reviews

L'onesta bugiarda by Tove Jansson

megan_c23's review against another edition

2.0

felt just kind of a vague sense of disgust the whole time I read this

silver_lining_in_a_book's review against another edition

funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing 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

4.0

 

Nothing can be as peaceful and endless as a long winter darkness, going on and on, like living in a tunnel where the dark sometimes deepens into night and sometimes eases to twilight, you're screened from everything, protected, even more alone than usual.

This book was very unique and atmospheric, but perhaps better suited for a book club or a buddy read to allow you to discuss some of the nuances of this story. However, the writing is so luscious that it will make for a fun read even if some of the underlying symbolism and messages go over your head, as they did for me, and reading up on some analysis later makes up for that. 

fatma_elsayed's review against another edition

challenging dark slow-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? It's complicated

2.0

lizetteratura's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Ableism, Blood, and Death of parent

henpower's review against another edition

mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

ellaedgerton1912's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense 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

4.0

carmenhansen's review against another edition

medium-paced

3.5

yanabanana's review against another edition

dark 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

5.0

this ending of this book make my jawwww droppp. 

in this remote town in sweden lives a girl named katri. shes an outcast. the local kids call her a witch. the locals are scared of her, but they also respect her for her trustworthiness. the story follows katri throughout a tumultuous winter, and as you read the story you learn more about just why she may be the true deceiver. 

this was an interesting read for me because i tried to think about which characters i resonate with, especially what elements of katri's i can relate to. it's odd because she's just such an abnormal person, yet there were some interesting things that tove jansson would write from katri's POV where i would think that could be me. leaves me a lot to ponder about. pretty unsettling

navalier's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Beautifully written. I liked how there’s no true resolution at the end, and how the dog ties into Katri’s state. 

queercorn's review against another edition

3.0

It was fine? I really like her style of writing but this story was just ok