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chemistreadingonthejob's reviews
418 reviews
Nowhere Girl: A Memoir of a Fugitive Childhood by Cheryl Diamond
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
Inspirational and unbelievably true story
Nowhere Girl is Cheryl Diamond's riveting memoir of a fugitive childhood. Her story began adventurous with her family of 5 descending the Himalayas in a ramshackle car held together with chicken wire. As nomadic Sikhs, they traveled to fascinating places all while being homeschooled and training to be in the Olympics. Cheryl was born Harbhajan which translates to Song of God in Sanskrit. Unfortunately, she doesn't keep this name as her family routinely switched countries, identities, and even religions. Cheryl's childhood turned from adventurous to tumultuous when she learned that they were actually a family of outlaws fleeing a crime her father committed. When her family fell apart she began to realize that her life had become one big con. She sought refuge with the very people they had been running from, and began a grueling battle for her identity and citizenship.
"When a person self-destructs, the shrapnel will tear your skin, too, if you're the one standing resolutely by their side."
Cheryl's story is heartbreaking. To be born on the run, with no proof of your existence, and then have legally nowhere to go would be a nightmare. My first thought was that this was too outlandish to be true. Apparently, the publisher did some thorough investigating. Therefore, I decided to take her story has truth. I found Cheryl to be inspiring. She endured physical abuse from her father and sexual abuse from the person she thought cherished her the most. This trauma brought on Crohns Disease that was so debilitating she couldn't walk. Her resilience and ability to forgive was astounding. My favorite part of her story is the delicate balance of forgiving those that transgress against you and cutting out the toxic people who would continue to hurt you. She has a good heart. For having no formal childhood education, she became an amazing writer. I highly recommend Nowhere Girl for those that love memoirs.
Nowhere Girl is Cheryl Diamond's riveting memoir of a fugitive childhood. Her story began adventurous with her family of 5 descending the Himalayas in a ramshackle car held together with chicken wire. As nomadic Sikhs, they traveled to fascinating places all while being homeschooled and training to be in the Olympics. Cheryl was born Harbhajan which translates to Song of God in Sanskrit. Unfortunately, she doesn't keep this name as her family routinely switched countries, identities, and even religions. Cheryl's childhood turned from adventurous to tumultuous when she learned that they were actually a family of outlaws fleeing a crime her father committed. When her family fell apart she began to realize that her life had become one big con. She sought refuge with the very people they had been running from, and began a grueling battle for her identity and citizenship.
"When a person self-destructs, the shrapnel will tear your skin, too, if you're the one standing resolutely by their side."
Cheryl's story is heartbreaking. To be born on the run, with no proof of your existence, and then have legally nowhere to go would be a nightmare. My first thought was that this was too outlandish to be true. Apparently, the publisher did some thorough investigating. Therefore, I decided to take her story has truth. I found Cheryl to be inspiring. She endured physical abuse from her father and sexual abuse from the person she thought cherished her the most. This trauma brought on Crohns Disease that was so debilitating she couldn't walk. Her resilience and ability to forgive was astounding. My favorite part of her story is the delicate balance of forgiving those that transgress against you and cutting out the toxic people who would continue to hurt you. She has a good heart. For having no formal childhood education, she became an amazing writer. I highly recommend Nowhere Girl for those that love memoirs.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
They Never Learn by Layne Fargo
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Fascinating concept that falls short of expectation
They Never Learn is a vigilante justice type thriller by Layne Fargo. The story follows two POVs, Dr. Scarlett Clark, an English professor that kills a man every year that is well deserving of murder, and Carly Schiller, a freshman at the same university. Dr. Clark is tired of being walked on and being second rate to a despicable man. She plots the ultimate revenge murder, and positions herself in the investigation, narrowly avoiding detection. Her perfectly controlled life is starting to fall apart at the seams. Carly Schiller wants to avoid connections after finally freeing herself from under her abusive father. This proves to be impossible when she bonds with her roommate Allison. When Allison is sexually assaulted, Carly promises to investigate and get justice.
There aren't alot of LGBTQ+ thrillers, and this was a horrible representation of one. Both of the protagonists had mental battles over their romantic feelings between a supportive female and male friend. It felt forced and inauthentic. I was drawn to Dr. Clark's dark and brilliant personality. I originally wanted her to get away with it, because I honestly thought her victims had it coming. However the second half of the book started to feel more and more unrealistic. This was the same for Carly. I pitied her and wanted her to succeed in finding the man that assaulted her friend. However, I started to feel like both of them were obsessive and unhinged. I didn't like where the story was going. I love a good revenge story, but this was borderline misandry. There was maybe one good man in this entire book. I can't wrap my head around Dr. Clark's motivations for when she first started killing. It was overly dramatic. I wanted to face palm, and yell that's why?! The biggest plot twist was revealed half way through the book and it was the first let down of many. Furthermore, the ending was completely impractical. They basically rode off into the sunset without repercussions. The only saving grace was that I found the writing to be excellent and addictive even with a terribly devised plot. I think the author did a great job at making the twist unpredictable by giving the characters complex personalities keeping time and education in mind. I had high hopes for this popcorn thriller, because there are a surprising amount of good reviews. Unfortunately, I would only recommend this if you don't mind the blatant man hating and delusory. I had to think about this review a long time because I liked the writing, the first half, the setting, and the concept. The conclusion and character development was frustrating and ruined the entire novel for me.
They Never Learn is a vigilante justice type thriller by Layne Fargo. The story follows two POVs, Dr. Scarlett Clark, an English professor that kills a man every year that is well deserving of murder, and Carly Schiller, a freshman at the same university. Dr. Clark is tired of being walked on and being second rate to a despicable man. She plots the ultimate revenge murder, and positions herself in the investigation, narrowly avoiding detection. Her perfectly controlled life is starting to fall apart at the seams. Carly Schiller wants to avoid connections after finally freeing herself from under her abusive father. This proves to be impossible when she bonds with her roommate Allison. When Allison is sexually assaulted, Carly promises to investigate and get justice.
There aren't alot of LGBTQ+ thrillers, and this was a horrible representation of one. Both of the protagonists had mental battles over their romantic feelings between a supportive female and male friend. It felt forced and inauthentic. I was drawn to Dr. Clark's dark and brilliant personality. I originally wanted her to get away with it, because I honestly thought her victims had it coming. However the second half of the book started to feel more and more unrealistic. This was the same for Carly. I pitied her and wanted her to succeed in finding the man that assaulted her friend. However, I started to feel like both of them were obsessive and unhinged. I didn't like where the story was going. I love a good revenge story, but this was borderline misandry. There was maybe one good man in this entire book. I can't wrap my head around Dr. Clark's motivations for when she first started killing. It was overly dramatic. I wanted to face palm, and yell that's why?! The biggest plot twist was revealed half way through the book and it was the first let down of many. Furthermore, the ending was completely impractical. They basically rode off into the sunset without repercussions. The only saving grace was that I found the writing to be excellent and addictive even with a terribly devised plot. I think the author did a great job at making the twist unpredictable by giving the characters complex personalities keeping time and education in mind. I had high hopes for this popcorn thriller, because there are a surprising amount of good reviews. Unfortunately, I would only recommend this if you don't mind the blatant man hating and delusory. I had to think about this review a long time because I liked the writing, the first half, the setting, and the concept. The conclusion and character development was frustrating and ruined the entire novel for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Murder
Finding Me by Viola Davis
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Vulnerable, Poignant, and Unrelentingly Honest
Finding Me is a powerful memoir by the actress Viola Davis. Viola Davis describes her poverty-stricken childhood candidly. She was raised in the rat infested and ramshackle apartments of Central Falls, Rhode Island. She does not hesitate to confess her experiences that others would gloss over. She grew up in horrible conditions watching her father drink and almost kill her mother. She made it through thanks to a sisterhood bond that inspired a love for acting. She majored in Theater at Rhode Island College and went to Julliard all while trying to support her family. Her success didn't magically happen overnight. For years she was turned away for being a black woman that didn't quite fit the bill, always relegated to the junkie, bestfriend, or secondary roles. Viola Davis never gave up, never turned down a gig, and continued to be hardworking. This memoir is an eye opener for what it's like for a black woman trying to make it in the acting business.
"Memories are immortal. They’re deathless and precise. They have the power of giving you joy and perspective in hard times. Or, they can strangle you. Define you in a way that’s based more in other people’s fucked-up perceptions than truth."
I have so much respect for Viola Davis and the acting profession after reading this. I had no idea how much hardwork it takes to succeed as a good actor. People don't always talk about how hard it is to achieve your dreams, how many times you get knocked down, and how many times you have to get back up. It's so much more difficult when you start from poverty and without the privilege of being white. Viola Davis skillfully writes from the heart, and it is compelling and inspirational. I'm a Viola Davis fan for life now. I loved her role in How To Get Away With Murder, and I can't wait for The Woman King to hit theaters. There are specific memoirs that I believe everyone should read such as The Glass Castle, Know My Name, etc..., and this is one of those. Every word of this memoir hits hard and will not soon be forgotten.
"There is an emotional abandonment that comes with poverty and being Black. The weight of generational trauma and having to fight for your basic needs doesn’t leave room for anything else. You just believe you’re the leftovers."
Finding Me is a powerful memoir by the actress Viola Davis. Viola Davis describes her poverty-stricken childhood candidly. She was raised in the rat infested and ramshackle apartments of Central Falls, Rhode Island. She does not hesitate to confess her experiences that others would gloss over. She grew up in horrible conditions watching her father drink and almost kill her mother. She made it through thanks to a sisterhood bond that inspired a love for acting. She majored in Theater at Rhode Island College and went to Julliard all while trying to support her family. Her success didn't magically happen overnight. For years she was turned away for being a black woman that didn't quite fit the bill, always relegated to the junkie, bestfriend, or secondary roles. Viola Davis never gave up, never turned down a gig, and continued to be hardworking. This memoir is an eye opener for what it's like for a black woman trying to make it in the acting business.
"Memories are immortal. They’re deathless and precise. They have the power of giving you joy and perspective in hard times. Or, they can strangle you. Define you in a way that’s based more in other people’s fucked-up perceptions than truth."
I have so much respect for Viola Davis and the acting profession after reading this. I had no idea how much hardwork it takes to succeed as a good actor. People don't always talk about how hard it is to achieve your dreams, how many times you get knocked down, and how many times you have to get back up. It's so much more difficult when you start from poverty and without the privilege of being white. Viola Davis skillfully writes from the heart, and it is compelling and inspirational. I'm a Viola Davis fan for life now. I loved her role in How To Get Away With Murder, and I can't wait for The Woman King to hit theaters. There are specific memoirs that I believe everyone should read such as The Glass Castle, Know My Name, etc..., and this is one of those. Every word of this memoir hits hard and will not soon be forgotten.
"There is an emotional abandonment that comes with poverty and being Black. The weight of generational trauma and having to fight for your basic needs doesn’t leave room for anything else. You just believe you’re the leftovers."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual assault
Elsewhere by Alexis Schaitkin
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Bizarre, Tragic, and Nuanced
Elsewhere is a strange and hypnotic piece of speculative fiction by Alexis Schaitkin. In a small town high up on a cloud covered mountain Vera grows up revering an affliction that causes some mothers to disappear. They find significance in the affliction, because it seperates them from the strangers of elsewhere. As the women mature, they begin to assume why each individual vanished into thin air. Maybe this mother loved her children too much or maybe not enough. Either way, they will discern the signs, burn every picture of her, sing together, and then give away all her belongings. This is a ritual a stranger would never understand. When Vera becomes a mother she comes face to face with this affliction and makes a choice that will profoundly change who she is as a mother.
"I began to know what women here had always known: We were endangered, but we were dangerous, too; our peril was also our power."
As bizarre as this story is, I loved the way it was told. It captures the tribulations of becoming a woman and mother under the harsh judgements of society. Elsewhere is beautiful in a dark and subtle way. The way Vera perceives her town compared to elsewhere is reminiscent of how I saw my own hometown. There's no good way to describe it, but reading Elsewhere felt like a mix of a fever dream and something unfathomably powerful. I found this story to be unique and compelling. It was a quick read that left me feeling dumbfounded and melancholy. The poetic gloominess of the writing fits the setting perfectly. Elsewhere would make a great choice for a book club. This is the kind of book I immediately want to convince people I know to read, because I want them to help me work out the complexity. I would recommend this to anybody that likes women's fiction with a hint of fantasy. This is on the darker side, but it's so worth the ride.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Read this if you like:
📦 Thinking outside the box
🌫 Melancholy vibes
🍼 The realities of motherhood
📷 Photography
Thank you Celadon Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Elsewhere is a strange and hypnotic piece of speculative fiction by Alexis Schaitkin. In a small town high up on a cloud covered mountain Vera grows up revering an affliction that causes some mothers to disappear. They find significance in the affliction, because it seperates them from the strangers of elsewhere. As the women mature, they begin to assume why each individual vanished into thin air. Maybe this mother loved her children too much or maybe not enough. Either way, they will discern the signs, burn every picture of her, sing together, and then give away all her belongings. This is a ritual a stranger would never understand. When Vera becomes a mother she comes face to face with this affliction and makes a choice that will profoundly change who she is as a mother.
"I began to know what women here had always known: We were endangered, but we were dangerous, too; our peril was also our power."
As bizarre as this story is, I loved the way it was told. It captures the tribulations of becoming a woman and mother under the harsh judgements of society. Elsewhere is beautiful in a dark and subtle way. The way Vera perceives her town compared to elsewhere is reminiscent of how I saw my own hometown. There's no good way to describe it, but reading Elsewhere felt like a mix of a fever dream and something unfathomably powerful. I found this story to be unique and compelling. It was a quick read that left me feeling dumbfounded and melancholy. The poetic gloominess of the writing fits the setting perfectly. Elsewhere would make a great choice for a book club. This is the kind of book I immediately want to convince people I know to read, because I want them to help me work out the complexity. I would recommend this to anybody that likes women's fiction with a hint of fantasy. This is on the darker side, but it's so worth the ride.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Read this if you like:
📦 Thinking outside the box
🌫 Melancholy vibes
🍼 The realities of motherhood
📷 Photography
Thank you Celadon Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I Told You This Would Happen by Elaine Murphy
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Poorly executed with a ludicrous plot.
I Told You This Would Happen is the follow up to Look What You Made Me Do by Elaine Murphy. The story starts 4 months after Carrie Lawrence loses her sister Becca, a narcissistic serial killer, to another serial killer called Footloose (rolls eyes). She feels like she's finally free, because she doesn't have to help her sister hide bodies in the middle of the night anymore. After attending a meeting for the Brampton Kill Seekers, a group of amateur sleuths, she realizes that her secrets are at risk of being revealed because she's not innocent to at least one murder. A series of events to keep herself from being implicated causes her to become even more guilty.
Elaine Murphy seamlessly blends background information from the first book into I Told You This Would Happen. I honestly felt like I wasn't missing out by not reading Look What You Made Me Do. However, Carrie and Becca's toxic relationship is the only thing that kept me reading. It attempted to show how familial obligation can take over a person's whole life. Carrie is a boring and unlikable main character, because all she does is complain about having a serial killer sister and never take responsibility for her part. In short, Carrie makes me cringe. As she's being followed and cornered by the detective I'm hoping she gets caught and has to come clean. The climax fell so short. I was like wow that's it? This story had potential because the writing style was addictive and edgy. Yet, the bulk of the plot was incredibly disappointing. I don't know what adult is going to read this and think it's intriguing or realistic. I started to wonder if this was supposed to be satire. I hate to say it, but read this only if you want to laugh at a bad popcorn thriller.
Thank you Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I Told You This Would Happen is the follow up to Look What You Made Me Do by Elaine Murphy. The story starts 4 months after Carrie Lawrence loses her sister Becca, a narcissistic serial killer, to another serial killer called Footloose (rolls eyes). She feels like she's finally free, because she doesn't have to help her sister hide bodies in the middle of the night anymore. After attending a meeting for the Brampton Kill Seekers, a group of amateur sleuths, she realizes that her secrets are at risk of being revealed because she's not innocent to at least one murder. A series of events to keep herself from being implicated causes her to become even more guilty.
Elaine Murphy seamlessly blends background information from the first book into I Told You This Would Happen. I honestly felt like I wasn't missing out by not reading Look What You Made Me Do. However, Carrie and Becca's toxic relationship is the only thing that kept me reading. It attempted to show how familial obligation can take over a person's whole life. Carrie is a boring and unlikable main character, because all she does is complain about having a serial killer sister and never take responsibility for her part. In short, Carrie makes me cringe. As she's being followed and cornered by the detective I'm hoping she gets caught and has to come clean. The climax fell so short. I was like wow that's it? This story had potential because the writing style was addictive and edgy. Yet, the bulk of the plot was incredibly disappointing. I don't know what adult is going to read this and think it's intriguing or realistic. I started to wonder if this was supposed to be satire. I hate to say it, but read this only if you want to laugh at a bad popcorn thriller.
Thank you Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Witty, Hopeful, and Inspirational
The Glass Castle is an uplifting memoir about Jeannette Walls' nomadic and poverty-stricken childhood. The Walls briefly lived in many places throughout Pheonix, Arizona, San Francisco, California, and Battle Mountain, Nevada, and were sometimes even homeless. They finally put down roots in their father's hometown Welch, West Virgina. They lived in a run down house with no plumbing or heat, surrounded by trash, and barely got by. The children displayed extraordinary resilience in the face of adversity. Jeannette's father was a drunk and a lair. Her mother was negligent and indifferent towards her children's distress. Despite her parents unwillingness to change, Jeannette had unconditional love and optimism for her family. This is a true rags to riches story that never feels like a pity party.
"Life is a drama full of tragedy and comedy. You should learn to enjoy the comic episodes a little more."
My favorite thing about this memoir is that it never feels sad. Even though they were living in abysmal conditions, Jeannette describes every situation in an almost laughable way. The way she continues to love and care for her parents regardless of their refusal to improve their lives is remarkable. I felt a connection with Jeannette because we have similar childhood experiences, and we both came out of it stronger. This memoir changed the way I perceived my youth because instead of dwelling on it, I wanted to look back and laugh. This is a story about how struggles develop your strengths. Jeannette narrates the audiobook with a comforting and charming voice. It was a heartwarming listen for an unforgettable book. I would recommend this to anybody interested in captivating true stories.
Read this if you like:
💵 Rags to riches
💪 Mental strength
📰 Journalism
📺 Books made into films
📓 True Stories
The Glass Castle is an uplifting memoir about Jeannette Walls' nomadic and poverty-stricken childhood. The Walls briefly lived in many places throughout Pheonix, Arizona, San Francisco, California, and Battle Mountain, Nevada, and were sometimes even homeless. They finally put down roots in their father's hometown Welch, West Virgina. They lived in a run down house with no plumbing or heat, surrounded by trash, and barely got by. The children displayed extraordinary resilience in the face of adversity. Jeannette's father was a drunk and a lair. Her mother was negligent and indifferent towards her children's distress. Despite her parents unwillingness to change, Jeannette had unconditional love and optimism for her family. This is a true rags to riches story that never feels like a pity party.
"Life is a drama full of tragedy and comedy. You should learn to enjoy the comic episodes a little more."
My favorite thing about this memoir is that it never feels sad. Even though they were living in abysmal conditions, Jeannette describes every situation in an almost laughable way. The way she continues to love and care for her parents regardless of their refusal to improve their lives is remarkable. I felt a connection with Jeannette because we have similar childhood experiences, and we both came out of it stronger. This memoir changed the way I perceived my youth because instead of dwelling on it, I wanted to look back and laugh. This is a story about how struggles develop your strengths. Jeannette narrates the audiobook with a comforting and charming voice. It was a heartwarming listen for an unforgettable book. I would recommend this to anybody interested in captivating true stories.
Read this if you like:
💵 Rags to riches
💪 Mental strength
📰 Journalism
📺 Books made into films
📓 True Stories
Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Unsettling and Jarring Pageturner
Pretty Girls is a grisly thriller by Karin Slaughter that is sure to make your heart race. Twenty years ago Claire and Lydia's older sister Julia disappeared. The aftermath tore their family apart. After the death of Claire's husband Paul, Lydia reunites with Claire in search of a possible connection between the current disappearances and their sister Julia.
Claire and Lydia both have their flaws, but their unique personalities feel genuine with their shared trauma. Lydia does not trust Claire after a grievous betrayal years ago, and this is the part that feels the most authentic. Their relationship doesn't just magically fix itself. When Lydia's life is at stake she doubts her sister the entire time. They keep secrets from each other, and they lie. Considering the circumstances, I'd say that's accurate for their situation. There's an incredible amount of character development for such a graphic and disturbing plot. It gave me I Spit on Your Grave vibes, a horror that also still lives rent free in my head.
This is not a thriller that everybody can stomach. It's one that many will have to put down regardless of it's addictive nature, and process a moment. There are many detailed descriptions of snuff films, rape, torture, and murder. The summary provides almost no hint to the horrifying story that awaits you. Going into this blind makes it feel even more shocking. I remember thinking this is not how I thought this would go. Karin Slaughter is undeniably talented at creating a spine-chilling atmosphere and setting a tone that fits her carefully crafted plots. Pretty Girls is no exception. From beginning to end, it's a wild ride and a truly unique narrative that has potential to haunt your dreams. I would recommend this for those that like a realistic and sinister thriller, and can handle the nauseating triggers.
Read this if you like:
🔪 horror crime movies
💵 corruption
🔫 women getting revenge
🩸 graphic details
Pretty Girls is a grisly thriller by Karin Slaughter that is sure to make your heart race. Twenty years ago Claire and Lydia's older sister Julia disappeared. The aftermath tore their family apart. After the death of Claire's husband Paul, Lydia reunites with Claire in search of a possible connection between the current disappearances and their sister Julia.
Claire and Lydia both have their flaws, but their unique personalities feel genuine with their shared trauma. Lydia does not trust Claire after a grievous betrayal years ago, and this is the part that feels the most authentic. Their relationship doesn't just magically fix itself. When Lydia's life is at stake she doubts her sister the entire time. They keep secrets from each other, and they lie. Considering the circumstances, I'd say that's accurate for their situation. There's an incredible amount of character development for such a graphic and disturbing plot. It gave me I Spit on Your Grave vibes, a horror that also still lives rent free in my head.
This is not a thriller that everybody can stomach. It's one that many will have to put down regardless of it's addictive nature, and process a moment. There are many detailed descriptions of snuff films, rape, torture, and murder. The summary provides almost no hint to the horrifying story that awaits you. Going into this blind makes it feel even more shocking. I remember thinking this is not how I thought this would go. Karin Slaughter is undeniably talented at creating a spine-chilling atmosphere and setting a tone that fits her carefully crafted plots. Pretty Girls is no exception. From beginning to end, it's a wild ride and a truly unique narrative that has potential to haunt your dreams. I would recommend this for those that like a realistic and sinister thriller, and can handle the nauseating triggers.
Read this if you like:
🔪 horror crime movies
💵 corruption
🔫 women getting revenge
🩸 graphic details
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, and Trafficking
How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Unique, Profound, and Hope Amidst Despair
How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu is a fascinating collection of short stories centered around a pandemic that transforms the way society regards death. It begins with a story about how the plague started from a 30,000 year old child found in the melting permafrost of the Arctic Circle. Children and immuno compromised people are the first to succumb to the Arctic plague. The virus mutates, and as more of the population are wiped out, the funerary industry begins to sky rocket. This novel-in-stories encapsulates the lengths to which humanity would go through to hold on to their loved ones, to survive another day, and to keep their memories alive.
My favorite story was City of Laughter, about an amusement park for terminally ill children. I cried the most during Pig Son, where a scientist searching for the cure gets to be a father again when a pig learns to talk. I felt the most hopeless because of Songs of Your Decay, when a forensic pathologist bonds with a man who is donating his body to science, knowing that he will die. I was the most confused in the last story, The Scope of Possibility, where we learn about a woman who transcends time and space. Honestly, the novel was compelling without this last chapter.
I found it strange that the story that I disliked the most was the one that gave this novel's namesake. Through the Garden of Memory is about people in a dark limbo between life and death. They travel through each other's memories and build a human pyramid to find a way out of the dark. This one was uninteresting and I had so many questions that other narratives only half-heartedly answer. This novel has a wide variety of settings, characters, and perspectives. When a storyline unexpectedly ended, I was briefly devastated before another roped me in. A couple stories didn't resonate as well as others. However, they still helped form the big picture. I can not stress enough how complex and intricately connected these tales are with the main characters of one story in the periphery of the next. It's almost necessary to take notes because there are Easter eggs all throughout. This is a great choice for book clubs and an amazing audiobook. This would be a perfect read for those that love genre bending novels that tackle important social issues.
Read this if you like:
📺 Black Mirror
🎢 Emotional roller coasters
🔬 Science
🌎 Social change
How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu is a fascinating collection of short stories centered around a pandemic that transforms the way society regards death. It begins with a story about how the plague started from a 30,000 year old child found in the melting permafrost of the Arctic Circle. Children and immuno compromised people are the first to succumb to the Arctic plague. The virus mutates, and as more of the population are wiped out, the funerary industry begins to sky rocket. This novel-in-stories encapsulates the lengths to which humanity would go through to hold on to their loved ones, to survive another day, and to keep their memories alive.
My favorite story was City of Laughter, about an amusement park for terminally ill children. I cried the most during Pig Son, where a scientist searching for the cure gets to be a father again when a pig learns to talk. I felt the most hopeless because of Songs of Your Decay, when a forensic pathologist bonds with a man who is donating his body to science, knowing that he will die. I was the most confused in the last story, The Scope of Possibility, where we learn about a woman who transcends time and space. Honestly, the novel was compelling without this last chapter.
I found it strange that the story that I disliked the most was the one that gave this novel's namesake. Through the Garden of Memory is about people in a dark limbo between life and death. They travel through each other's memories and build a human pyramid to find a way out of the dark. This one was uninteresting and I had so many questions that other narratives only half-heartedly answer. This novel has a wide variety of settings, characters, and perspectives. When a storyline unexpectedly ended, I was briefly devastated before another roped me in. A couple stories didn't resonate as well as others. However, they still helped form the big picture. I can not stress enough how complex and intricately connected these tales are with the main characters of one story in the periphery of the next. It's almost necessary to take notes because there are Easter eggs all throughout. This is a great choice for book clubs and an amazing audiobook. This would be a perfect read for those that love genre bending novels that tackle important social issues.
Read this if you like:
📺 Black Mirror
🎢 Emotional roller coasters
🔬 Science
🌎 Social change
The Many Daughters of Afong Moy by Jamie Ford
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Unprecedented, Tragic, and Captivating
The Many Daughters of Afong Moy is a heartbreaking peice of literary fiction by Jamie Ford. This story is told fron multiple perspectives across seven generations of woman descended from Afong Moy, the first Chinese woman in America. Dorothy Moy, a poet and mother, undergoes an experimental treatment for transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of trauma when she notices her daughter Annabel exhibiting behavior similar to her own. Dorothy intensely connects with her ancestors; Faye, a nurse in China serving with the Flying Tigers, Zoe, a student in England at a famous school with no rules, Lai King, a girl quarantined in San Francisco during a plague epidemic, and her mother Greta, a tech executive for a dating app. Dorothy continues with the treatment despite the possibility of losing her mind, to finally break the cycle of pain and find peace for her daughter.
At first, I found it difficult to keep track of the Moy woman because the chapters jumped back and forth through time. Gradually, I began to be consumed by their devastating stories. I was especially fond of Afong Moy because of her innocence and breadth of the injustice she endured. This felt like the first of its kind. I had an immense amount of empathy for each character. Every word was deeply felt. My favorite passage was;
"For most of her childhood Afong thought that she must have been a horrible man in her previous life to have been reborn a woman. She must have been cruel, to be reborn powerless . She must have been greedy to come back as property. She must have been shiftless, to have had her feet bound in this life. She must have been vehement to have been forced to marry an old man whom she had never met, never seen, unable to forget the young man she cared for, dreamt about."
It's undeniable that this book sparks a fascinating conversation that will resonate with many. It left a lasting impression on me. The Many Daughters of Afong Moy is a profound read that I would recommend to anyone.
Thank you Atria books, Netgalley, and Jamie Ford for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Many Daughters of Afong Moy is a heartbreaking peice of literary fiction by Jamie Ford. This story is told fron multiple perspectives across seven generations of woman descended from Afong Moy, the first Chinese woman in America. Dorothy Moy, a poet and mother, undergoes an experimental treatment for transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of trauma when she notices her daughter Annabel exhibiting behavior similar to her own. Dorothy intensely connects with her ancestors; Faye, a nurse in China serving with the Flying Tigers, Zoe, a student in England at a famous school with no rules, Lai King, a girl quarantined in San Francisco during a plague epidemic, and her mother Greta, a tech executive for a dating app. Dorothy continues with the treatment despite the possibility of losing her mind, to finally break the cycle of pain and find peace for her daughter.
At first, I found it difficult to keep track of the Moy woman because the chapters jumped back and forth through time. Gradually, I began to be consumed by their devastating stories. I was especially fond of Afong Moy because of her innocence and breadth of the injustice she endured. This felt like the first of its kind. I had an immense amount of empathy for each character. Every word was deeply felt. My favorite passage was;
"For most of her childhood Afong thought that she must have been a horrible man in her previous life to have been reborn a woman. She must have been cruel, to be reborn powerless . She must have been greedy to come back as property. She must have been shiftless, to have had her feet bound in this life. She must have been vehement to have been forced to marry an old man whom she had never met, never seen, unable to forget the young man she cared for, dreamt about."
It's undeniable that this book sparks a fascinating conversation that will resonate with many. It left a lasting impression on me. The Many Daughters of Afong Moy is a profound read that I would recommend to anyone.
Thank you Atria books, Netgalley, and Jamie Ford for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
One of the Girls by Lucy Clarke
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Catty and tense with an attractive setting
One of the Girls is a suspenseful slowburn by Lucy Clark. The story is told from 6 different POVs on a hen weekend (bachelorette party) in Greece. It's clear from the beginning that each of the woman has something to hide with strained conversations and subtle hostility.
Lexi is finally getting married and even though her long time BFF Bella isn't happy about it, she throws Lexi a hen weekend at a beautiful villa in Greece. Bella's girlfriend Fen used to visit the villa frequently, but something happened that turned its alluring atmosphere into something dark. On top of that Bella spilled her darkest secret to Fen right before getting on the plane, and it might be a deal breaker. Robyn is a boring single mom who was part of a trio with Lexi and Bella, but Bella pulled away and asserted herself as Lexi's bestfriend. Ana is Lexi's new friend who is hiding something serious and threatens Bella's friendship with Lexi, and Eleanor is just the stick in the mud sister in law who recently lost her fiancé. Passive aggressive behavior comes to a head and leads to a murder that nobody sees coming.
"What happens on the hen weekend stays on the hen weekend."
Something I love about this dramatic slowburn is the brilliant setting. The gorgeous villa has a dark undertone that matches the atmosphere perfectly. This novel has an intense buildup, but I wouldn't say it is particularly thrilling. There isn't any real action until the last 20% of the book, and it took 50 pages just to introduce the characters. However, each of the characters is unique with their part played well defined and crucial to the big picture.
Parts of the big reveal are predictable, but it came to a satisfying conclusion. The parts I did not see coming were clever and made it worth the read. I would recommend this for fans of Rachel Hawkins and those that enjoy a slow going drama with malicious ambience.
One of the Girls is a suspenseful slowburn by Lucy Clark. The story is told from 6 different POVs on a hen weekend (bachelorette party) in Greece. It's clear from the beginning that each of the woman has something to hide with strained conversations and subtle hostility.
Lexi is finally getting married and even though her long time BFF Bella isn't happy about it, she throws Lexi a hen weekend at a beautiful villa in Greece. Bella's girlfriend Fen used to visit the villa frequently, but something happened that turned its alluring atmosphere into something dark. On top of that Bella spilled her darkest secret to Fen right before getting on the plane, and it might be a deal breaker. Robyn is a boring single mom who was part of a trio with Lexi and Bella, but Bella pulled away and asserted herself as Lexi's bestfriend. Ana is Lexi's new friend who is hiding something serious and threatens Bella's friendship with Lexi, and Eleanor is just the stick in the mud sister in law who recently lost her fiancé. Passive aggressive behavior comes to a head and leads to a murder that nobody sees coming.
"What happens on the hen weekend stays on the hen weekend."
Something I love about this dramatic slowburn is the brilliant setting. The gorgeous villa has a dark undertone that matches the atmosphere perfectly. This novel has an intense buildup, but I wouldn't say it is particularly thrilling. There isn't any real action until the last 20% of the book, and it took 50 pages just to introduce the characters. However, each of the characters is unique with their part played well defined and crucial to the big picture.
Parts of the big reveal are predictable, but it came to a satisfying conclusion. The parts I did not see coming were clever and made it worth the read. I would recommend this for fans of Rachel Hawkins and those that enjoy a slow going drama with malicious ambience.