Excellent review - agree wholeheartedly that we never really have enough access to the characters to feel emotionally connected to individuals, except for maybe Esther.
OH, I LOVED this book SO much!!! 5/5 for me. I feel like if I were an English teacher, I'd have my students read this. Its SO interesting that you didn't connect to the characters.... I did! However, I felt invested in them as a GROUP rather than individuals. Like, I couldn't wait to jump back into the book and see how they were doing. lol.
Thank you. I felt the same way and wish you had been my English teacher! The story is fascinating and terrible and the writing has a rare ethereal quality. I find myself reflecting on this book weeks later, still wanting to know more and wondering if it could have gone otherwise... what would high schoolers make of this book today. I wonder? Would it be permitted on the reading list or cancelled because the zealous guardians of morality on the PTA are disturbed by elements of racism and incest? I hope it makes the Booker Shortlist.
Great review. It wasn't what I was expecting and I also felt removed from the characters but did find it empathetically and beautifully written. I read it before it was longlisted and gave it 4/5. The way my longlist reading is going it could make my shortlist.
I actually thought the characters were my favorite part of the book--although I did want more of some of them. I just finished this and Tinkers last week and Harding definitely has a unique signature style that won't be for everyone. He's also extremely good at writing about nature, which comes across in both this book and in Tinkers. As soon as I saw an interview where he linked his work to Transcendentalism, it just made so much sense. I haven't loved any of his books yet, but I do greatly admire them.
As a descendent of Malaga Island, and the fact the Author had no connection to the real pain our families endured, it’s a shame to profit from a time in history when eugenics tore innocent families apart…Shameful gain of currency.
I envy everyone who loved this book - I wanted to. It had a lot going for it - an intriguing true story and a few lovely vignettes of island life. But the writing, which reviewers call beautiful and mesmerizing, I found to be pretentious and annoying. It seemed like a real chore for me to get through these 221 pages. But I guess every book is a different book for each reader, and that is truly magical.
Excellent review - agree wholeheartedly that we never really have enough access to the characters to feel emotionally connected to individuals, except for maybe Esther.
OH, I LOVED this book SO much!!! 5/5 for me. I feel like if I were an English teacher, I'd have my students read this. Its SO interesting that you didn't connect to the characters.... I did! However, I felt invested in them as a GROUP rather than individuals. Like, I couldn't wait to jump back into the book and see how they were doing. lol.
Thank you. I felt the same way and wish you had been my English teacher! The story is fascinating and terrible and the writing has a rare ethereal quality. I find myself reflecting on this book weeks later, still wanting to know more and wondering if it could have gone otherwise... what would high schoolers make of this book today. I wonder? Would it be permitted on the reading list or cancelled because the zealous guardians of morality on the PTA are disturbed by elements of racism and incest? I hope it makes the Booker Shortlist.
Sounds like an interesting book. I’ll definitely read it ❤❤
Great review. It wasn't what I was expecting and I also felt removed from the characters but did find it empathetically and beautifully written. I read it before it was longlisted and gave it 4/5.
The way my longlist reading is going it could make my shortlist.
BOOKER SEASON!!!!!!!
I actually thought the characters were my favorite part of the book--although I did want more of some of them. I just finished this and Tinkers last week and Harding definitely has a unique signature style that won't be for everyone. He's also extremely good at writing about nature, which comes across in both this book and in Tinkers. As soon as I saw an interview where he linked his work to Transcendentalism, it just made so much sense. I haven't loved any of his books yet, but I do greatly admire them.
I loved the characters too. But just couldn’t emotionally connect. Just needed more time with them I think.
Come one where is it? EDIT 0:08 - MY SOUL AND BODY WERE NOT READY
😂
As a descendent of Malaga Island, and the fact the Author had no connection to the real pain our families endured, it’s a shame to profit from a time in history when eugenics tore innocent families apart…Shameful gain of currency.
I envy everyone who loved this book - I wanted to. It had a lot going for it - an intriguing true story and a few lovely vignettes of island life. But the writing, which reviewers call beautiful and mesmerizing, I found to be pretentious and annoying. It seemed like a real chore for me to get through these 221 pages. But I guess every book is a different book for each reader, and that is truly magical.
Totally valid opinion :)
How does this hold up in Birnam Copperhead?
Stacks up well. However, personally not even that close to the enjoyment I got from both those books.
I too want to connect with the characters especially when my empathy will drive the powerful narrative deeper into my soul 📖 🪱 💚