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savvylit's review
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
About a decade ago, I read Yuknavitch's memoir The Chronology of Water and loved it. Yuknavitch has a distinct, raw way of writing that I was delighted to rediscover in Verge. Each of the stories in this collection presents individual people experiencing extremes. A young child delivers organs on the black market, a sex trafficked girl dreams of escape, a lonely janitor creates a city out of trash, a young woman deals drugs to prisoners... Describing these often difficult-to-stomach situations, Yuknavitch explores the humanity of her characters in an incredibly non-moralizing and empathetic manner. However, as Verge progressed, the stories began to feel repetitive - especially in the way sex was used as a consistent shock factor. Ultimately, I feel very indifferent to this book. I'm not sure what Yuknavitch was trying to achieve.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Violence, Medical content, Trafficking, and Medical trauma
rto8's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A singular, biting voice that tells the stories of the wounded, depraved, and the regularly irregular. Some pieces were wildly dark without carving anything out of me, while a few hit their marks. (The Eleventh Commandment, A Woman Apologizing). Enjoyably odd, but at times, too gritty.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Violence
fiainkvinna's review
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Car accident
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