Ally
I was completely absorbed in this story but I didn't want to be... something kept drawing me in even though the characters (and all their actions) were pretty darn awful. I read a review that called it a why-duunit instead of a who-dunnit, and I think that unique angle on the story is what made this book so impressive. That and the writing style which was beautiful. Overall a good read but I was in a better mood once I finished it.
I felt exhausted by this book and when I finished it—a tangible sense of relief. The glimpses into these two characters' heads were skillfully and smoothly done, but both of them seemed so miserable it was hard to bare. The thing that kept me reading was this inexplicable sense of rooting for them and a (foolish) hope that they'd suddenly get it together enough to give and receive love. Maybe that was the point but it didn't connect for me. And the main characters are the worst but also all the side characters except for Connell's mom are THE worst.
*** personal note whitest thing I could've possibly been reading right now. Update- the Hulu series made me like the book more. Not having to be ‘in' their heads made the story more enjoyable for me.
I loved Her Body and Other Parties. I'd never read anything like it before. I loved this and throughout it I had overwhelming gratitude that she—who it seems will throw everything she's got at the important and dreadful topic with amazing precision and skill and flare—wrote this book. Seemed like every sentence was in its place so anyone who picked this up couldn't miss, not just the truth and importance of her story but some of the feeling (terror) of it.
It was little. It was weird. It was a little weird and a lot of lovely. Some people won't like this book. The style is cumbersome (had to read it in small doses) but if that's the case you'll know after reading one page-it's like that the whole entire time. Picked it up because I loved her stand-up and was looking for something funny. Found it pretty darn delightful.
I savored this collection and each story in it. I re-read many of them and will pick them up again when I need to be reconnected to beauty, mystery, magic, or love. This collection reignited a childhood love of fantasy and sci-fi.
Another Story or a Fisherman of the Inland Sea, The Finder, A Man of the People, Vaster than Empires but More Slow, and Buffalo Gals, Wont You Come Out Tonight, took me to new worlds and at times took my breath away. These ones all made me cry.
The Matter of Seggri, Forgiveness Day, A Woman's Liberation, and Paradises Lost transported me and the troubling questions those worlds raised remained in my thoughts for days after reading.
Dragonfly, and it's illustration of authentic magic and power, stirred something deep within me.
