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pollyflorence's reviews
318 reviews
Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
4.0
Miracle Creek by Angie Kim
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Sexual assault, Suicide, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Dementia, and Death of parent
If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Police brutality, and Religious bigotry
The Woman in the Purple Skirt by Natsuko Imamura
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Elektra by Jennifer Saint
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I’m not especially well versed in Greek mythology, but I do tend to end up loving any reimagining or retelling of these classic stories and Elektra was no exception. The prose is so beautifully atmospheric and very carefully considered, you can feel the passion that Saint has for these characters and the work that’s clearly gone into to narrating their stories, flowing from the pages.
I especially loved how the complex mother and daughter dynamic and complicated bond was explored through the character’s relationships with one another. Any book that considers this relationship in such a realistic and varied way is one I’m bound to end up loving. I thought that it was expertly done through the multiple POVs and switching between them and how each one propels and builds the story towards the tragic final act, really captivated me— I didn’t want to put it down.
I would definitely recommend Elektra, if it’s not already on your TBR, I can see this book being loved by fans of Greek mythology and people looking for a place to start with the world of reimagined and retold classics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Rape, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War