A review by sineadherself
The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Plot: It is a book in which both nothing and all life happens. That is to say it is a book about survival. Ostensibly it is about surviving the wild but as the reader journeys through with the main character we learn that survival has been at the centre of her life since birth; it is the only work she has ever had.
Character: Ninety percent of the story we are with the main character, Zed. Though throughout other people from her past and present are described.
Reading Experience: This is a writer's book, not a reader's. You can see the writer enjoying herself on the page, which in itself is a lovely thing. But ultimately, it becomes a slog for the reader to stay the course with her.
Overall: A solid piece of work by a talented writer.
Stars: 3.5⭐
Character: Ninety percent of the story we are with the main character, Zed. Though throughout other people from her past and present are described.
Reading Experience: This is a writer's book, not a reader's. You can see the writer enjoying herself on the page, which in itself is a lovely thing. But ultimately, it becomes a slog for the reader to stay the course with her.
Overall: A solid piece of work by a talented writer.
Stars: 3.5⭐
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Excrement, Gore, Pandemic/Epidemic, Religious bigotry, Ableism, Death, Animal death, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Colonisation, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Child death, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
If you are weak of stomach this book will be a test. Surviving the wilds is not easy and is very often disgusting. There are also some scenes that are genuinely disturbing.
Also, the language which is used to describe "the child Bess" is repeatedly ablest and dehumanising. I tried to keep my mind open as I read the book but I came away at the end not understanding why that choice was made - it didn't reflect the opinion of the main character, for example. So it comes off more that it is a sloppy, ignorant take by the author. But that doesn't feel right either as that wouldn't have been my impression of her before. Whatever it was, read with caution.