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A review by liz_mcc
Things in Jars by Jess Kidd
4.0
A modern Victorian detective novel featuring a female protagonist, a tattooed ghost in a top hat, cross-dressing, horrifying oddities, creepy children, and even creepier adults? Obviously I loved this story. I like a story that can feature something like a disturbing pickled baby one minute, and make me laugh out loud the next; this was a great mix of kitsch, Gothic spine-tingles, and heartwarming sweetness.
I don't draw, but this story made me want to illustrate the wonderful, quirky characters Kidd brought to life. Many of them weren't super fleshed out, but I could see them so vividly that I didn't mind them being kind of flat.
My one complaint is that Kidd's playful yet brainy writing was fun to read, but sometimes came at the cost of clarity. Maybe I was too tired when I was reading, but I completely misread a few situations that factored in heavily later, at which point I realized my mistake (Wait, he's WHOSE SON??).
This book confirmed I'm a Jess Kidd fan--looking forward to reading The Hoarder next.
I don't draw, but this story made me want to illustrate the wonderful, quirky characters Kidd brought to life. Many of them weren't super fleshed out, but I could see them so vividly that I didn't mind them being kind of flat.
My one complaint is that Kidd's playful yet brainy writing was fun to read, but sometimes came at the cost of clarity. Maybe I was too tired when I was reading, but I completely misread a few situations that factored in heavily later, at which point I realized my mistake (Wait, he's WHOSE SON??).
This book confirmed I'm a Jess Kidd fan--looking forward to reading The Hoarder next.