A review by cher_n_books
Aquarium by David Vann
5.0
5 stars - Utterly amazing.
Unique, captivating, powerful, brilliant. I believe this is only the 2nd five star rating I have given this year, so when I say it was utterly amazing, I mean it. Those ratings are not tossed around lightly in my corner of the world! (The other 5 star rating was what continues to so far be my favorite read of the year thus far, The Orenda ). I started this little novel today and didn't put it down until I had read the very last page; it was that engrossing.
That being said, this is a very difficult, heavy read. Not the prose, as the prose is wonderful, simplistic yet powerful, and flows like honey. What is difficult is the powerful emotions the author evokes. When the main character is in an awkward situation, the reader feels incredibly awkward. When the main character feels terrified, the reader feels terrified. When the main character is in her happy place, the reader also feels instantly relaxed, warm and safe (at the aquarium). And when the main character is with another character that is temporarily insane and full of rage, the reader feels like they are right there in the same room as well.
If you are going to be reading this as an ebook, you must read it on a tablet or other color screen as the author has included vibrant pictures of the aquarium fish that must not be missed. No matter which format you will be reading, have your highlighter close by.
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Favorite Quote: Each thing that happens to us, each and every thing, it leaves some dent, and that dent will always be there. Each of us is a walking wreck.
First Sentence: It was a fish so ugly it didn’t seem to be a fish at all.
Unique, captivating, powerful, brilliant. I believe this is only the 2nd five star rating I have given this year, so when I say it was utterly amazing, I mean it. Those ratings are not tossed around lightly in my corner of the world! (The other 5 star rating was what continues to so far be my favorite read of the year thus far, The Orenda ). I started this little novel today and didn't put it down until I had read the very last page; it was that engrossing.
That being said, this is a very difficult, heavy read. Not the prose, as the prose is wonderful, simplistic yet powerful, and flows like honey. What is difficult is the powerful emotions the author evokes. When the main character is in an awkward situation, the reader feels incredibly awkward. When the main character feels terrified, the reader feels terrified. When the main character is in her happy place, the reader also feels instantly relaxed, warm and safe (at the aquarium). And when the main character is with another character that is temporarily insane and full of rage, the reader feels like they are right there in the same room as well.
If you are going to be reading this as an ebook, you must read it on a tablet or other color screen as the author has included vibrant pictures of the aquarium fish that must not be missed. No matter which format you will be reading, have your highlighter close by.
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Favorite Quote: Each thing that happens to us, each and every thing, it leaves some dent, and that dent will always be there. Each of us is a walking wreck.
First Sentence: It was a fish so ugly it didn’t seem to be a fish at all.