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gwimo's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
waterbear0821's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Pros:
-well-executed, unique sci-fi time travel
-twisty and brain-expanding
-captivating description of dystopian future; good world-building
Cons:
-truly how many racial slurs and homophobic slurs and how much violent misogyny must I read?
-so, so many content warnings
-the author is a musician and the droning, pretentious descriptions of the songs and music characters are playing or listening to throughout the book are cringe and insufferable
-high on aesthetics, light on plot. I’m curious what this author will write in the future
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Transphobia, Murder, and Cultural appropriation
beansandrice's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The African spiritual themes are treated as set-dressing, and black characters are treated terribly throughout the entire book, which makes the spiritual stuff feel appropriative. Even though near the end
But on the plus side, it's still a great read. It's incredibly maximalist, and is one of the most unique pieces of climate fiction I've ever read. Is it worth it to make a better world if it's a world you can't live in? What would you be willing to do to live the life you've always wanted? I hope Rita Indiana has some introspection, then writes another book.
Last note, I read the English translation, but I'm not sure it's the strongest. There were some moments where I could tell what the original Spanish was and it was clear the English didn't hit the mark. If you want to read this and you can read Spanish, I'd recommend getting a Spanish copy.
Graphic: Deadnaming, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, and Sexual assault
litprof's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Violence
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Rape
rigeloutinspace's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Incest, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Colonisation, and Classism
This book is a challenging read and tackles a lot of challenging stuff, but i found it educational, thoughtful provoking, and inspiring. Was hard to put down once I was in it.hfrancesh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Transphobia, and Violence
Moderate: Medical content, Murder, Colonisation, and Dysphoria
Minor: Animal cruelty
neugrowf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence
full_of_flowers's review against another edition
3.0
I was uncomfortable with the book's use of slurs; although this gets some context as the book unfolds, it doesn't feel justified or like it's accomplishing anything. Through such language, it exhibits characters' hateful attitudes without challenging them in a meaningful enough way. Additionally, there are moments that delve into very difficult topics, such as sexual violence and the treatment of marginalized communities, without proper acknowledgement or care. I do wonder if some of these issues read somewhat differently in the original Spanish, and may be interested in reading that version at some point.
Graphic: Homophobia and Racial slurs
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Transphobia
talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
The most interesting elements of that world, like an "instant sex change" injection, are treated effectively as set dressing, never really explored in depth. Instead, the meandering plot follows uninteresting, indistinct characters through events and timelines that are equally difficult to differentiate. Despite parts of their backstories being recounted in detail, I have no sense of who most of the characters are as people... other than their bigoted attitudes.
Such views being expressed by characters is one thing, but they're present in excess and never treated with especial gravity or challenged meaningfully by the narrative, and if anything seem reinforced by it. Black characters are invariably treated with disdain, to say nothing of the constant use of the N-word (by a non-Black author and translator), and the trans protagonist is only appropriately gendered after undergoing full physical transition, with no real conscious examination of his identity and experiences. Perhaps these are purposeful qualities of the setting, but if so it's never communicated well.
Could have probably been very interesting in a different format, but the combination of dense writing and gratuitous racism/homophobia and sexual violence made it far from an enjoyable read.
Graphic: Drug use, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual violence, Violence, and Medical content
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Sexual content, Transphobia, and Murder
Minor: Ableism, Child abuse, Fatphobia, Incest, Pedophilia, Vomit, Antisemitism, and Abortion
gotossmycausticsalad's review against another edition
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Minor: Homophobia and Racial slurs
Couple of instances of the n-word and a character says faggot a lot, but nothing too graphic.