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A review by apollinares
The Past Is Red by Catherynne M. Valente
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Holy shit, this book. This protagonist. What a fresh post-apocalyptic story. It might not be entirely scientific sci-fi, but once you suspend your disbelief, it really grows on you (like a mould).
Tetley is brilliant, and optimistic, and utterly mad. I love her characterisation, I love the self-admitted unreliable narration, I love how she takes everything in stride (even the worst things). I've only ever read solarpunk sci-fi with hopeful protagonists, or dystopian sci-fi with downtrodden cynical protagonists. This is a dystopian setting with the most hopeful, lovely narrator at its center, and it really hit me in the feels.
The audiobook narrator's accent was way too strong and put-on though. I had to relisten to parts because it was so distracting.
Tetley is brilliant, and optimistic, and utterly mad. I love her characterisation, I love the self-admitted unreliable narration, I love how she takes everything in stride (even the worst things). I've only ever read solarpunk sci-fi with hopeful protagonists, or dystopian sci-fi with downtrodden cynical protagonists. This is a dystopian setting with the most hopeful, lovely narrator at its center, and it really hit me in the feels.
The audiobook narrator's accent was way too strong and put-on though. I had to relisten to parts because it was so distracting.