Reviews

Arturo's Island, by Elsa Morante

shewritesinmargins's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

elecon's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

lucri's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

4.25

nanna's review

emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

rouge_red's review against another edition

reflective sad slow-paced

2.5

The best most okay book I think I've ever read. After reading it, I don't feel anything, I wasn't bored but neither did I feel much during my reading experience. There are nice fable elements to the story, though Arturo's angst makes the novel feel more grounded than your traditional fable. I don't know, but besides some decent descriptions I don't have much to say about the book. It's not bad by any means, but a lack of feeling makes me rate this book lower.

That being said, it is the "best written meh book that I just didn't really like" book.

verasibilio's review

reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

The writing is captivating from the first page; Morante has the ability of shaping a whole universe with her words - I live a stone's throw away from Procida, never been there but now, after reading this, I feel like I have. Arturo's story is a story of emotional neglect and solitude, it is quite introspective and, at times, touching. Although the tone of the book is not necessarily sad, I found myself suffering for/with Arturo throughout the whole book.

This book is for the small town girlies who are in a quarter-life crisis. This is for the Aries moon girlies, for the ones who are still learning how to express their emotions in a healthy way. Loved the homoerotic subplot.

Arturo is a Sagittarius sun, Aries moon, Pisces rising.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Abandonment, Racial slurs, Classism, Misogyny, Sexism, Self harm, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Ableism

ghost1n's review

slow-paced

2.25

valtscn's review

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

deeznuts_69's review

emotional 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

3.5

zah2102's review against another edition

5.0

The prose of Arturo's Island is magical and the imagery is evocative, so I must assume this is also a masterful translation. The plot is a coming of age story that carries you through the challenges of adolescence with a protagonist who has led an extremely isolated and somewhat brutal childhood. By the end, you will feel deeply for Arturo and Nunziata, despite their naivety and character flaws. Nunziata's religiosity and character development were as compelling to me as Arturo's. The novel has a conventional narrative arc, which I love, and an ending that will leave you both uplifted and satisfied.