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A review by jenny_librarian
The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I don't know why this book is supposedly geared toward middle grade. Apart from the fact that one of the protagonists is a child, the prose is too advanced and Jelliby's parts are too mature for MG readers... Also, the author has never lived in the UK but takes many liberties with the characters that make them almost caricatural (especially Jelliby).
It's not uninteresting, and the writing is beautiful, but don't go in looking for a fast-paced fantasy mystery with faes. The prose slows it down a lot, as does the steampunk setting.
I would also like to add that this book makes feminism regress about two centuries, and not even because of the historical/steampunk setting. It's just that Bachmann cannot write a strong female character at all. All the girls and women in his book end up helpless and unable to do literally anything on their own...
It's not uninteresting, and the writing is beautiful, but don't go in looking for a fast-paced fantasy mystery with faes. The prose slows it down a lot, as does the steampunk setting.
I would also like to add that this book makes feminism regress about two centuries, and not even because of the historical/steampunk setting. It's just that Bachmann cannot write a strong female character at all. All the girls and women in his book end up helpless and unable to do literally anything on their own...
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexism
Minor: Child death, Domestic abuse, and Racism