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A review by bybookandbone
Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm reeling from the beauty of Sorrowland. I expected to enjoy it but did not think it would be so visceral a story. The imagery evoked by Rivers Solomon is powerful and unrestrained.
"Vern, a hunted woman alone in the woods, gives birth to twins and raises them away from the influence of the outside world." - Vern is actually a 15 year old girl, forcefully married to a much older man by 14, raped and impregnated. I think that's important to know before starting this book as this is some how one of the least triggering traumas depicted within Sorrowland. This is not a complaint by any means, I just feel it important to acknowledge.
Vern's growth to adulthood, her motherhood and sexuality, is haunting, poignant and very passionately written. I adored her two children (and loved her names for them). Vern herself can be difficult to like at times but her snappishness and social awkward behavior is understandable.
I highly recommend this book!
"Vern, a hunted woman alone in the woods, gives birth to twins and raises them away from the influence of the outside world." - Vern is actually a 15 year old girl, forcefully married to a much older man by 14, raped and impregnated. I think that's important to know before starting this book as this is some how one of the least triggering traumas depicted within Sorrowland. This is not a complaint by any means, I just feel it important to acknowledge.
Vern's growth to adulthood, her motherhood and sexuality, is haunting, poignant and very passionately written. I adored her two children (and loved her names for them). Vern herself can be difficult to like at times but her snappishness and social awkward behavior is understandable.
I highly recommend this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse