by Neena Viel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Warning: this book is intense in how it represents, handles, and processes trauma. The whole book is a trauma in and of itself (or at least potentially). When this is listed as a horror novel it is a true horror novel. Not some surface level one. It might have been gorier but I like that it wasn’t. It didn’t need the gore to shock you or keep you on your toes.
The ultimate question: Did I like this?
Answer: I’m not sure. I didn’t dislike it, but it’s rough in places. Unlike Chuck Tingle’s Bury Your Gays, which was both traumatic, intense, and enjoyable; I found the humour here was not quite enough or just didn’t have me laughing the way others have described. It’s different, unique, clever, and very well written. Yet I’m struggling to figure out if I really liked it or would recommend it. It’s definitely not a book that will be for everyone and not one I would re-read.
My biggest peeve for this dark trauma story is the ending is a bit abrupt. There’s no nice wrap up moment, reuniting everyone and putting them on a clear path forward into better lives or safety. Or at least not overtly enough for my comfort level.
If you want to try something that is very heavy in its use of analogy, metaphors, similes, etc. Listen To Your Sister is a good choice. If you have sibling rivalry or burden to process yourself this is an excellent choice to help you understand from all 3 siblings perspectives why they do what they choose to do. It’s a balanced read, one that lends towards understanding to the only girl and oldest (I’m also the oldest of 3 and can confirm the responsibility representation here is spot on), but also really connects you with a middle child who never feels unique enough, and the baby who just wants things to be better but can’t quite see their role in helping that happen (at first). There are a fair number of excuses produced for drug use, alcohol abuse, and abandonment. As well as a large narrative about what it means to be a guardian and how you give up a lot of yourself to do so. And there’s surely multiple thesis that could be written on the portrayal of selfishness amoungst siblings with useless parents.
If any of that sparks your interest, or might be something you have trauma to still process about then this could be the book for you.
If not, then I’d approach this one with the foreknowledge that it’s intense, doesn’t pullback on punches, and may not be for everyone.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
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My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Warning: this book is intense in how it represents, handles, and processes trauma. The whole book is a trauma in and of itself (or at least potentially). When this is listed as a horror novel it is a true horror novel. Not some surface level one. It might have been gorier but I like that it wasn’t. It didn’t need the gore to shock you or keep you on your toes.
The ultimate question: Did I like this?
Answer: I’m not sure. I didn’t dislike it, but it’s rough in places. Unlike Chuck Tingle’s Bury Your Gays, which was both traumatic, intense, and enjoyable; I found the humour here was not quite enough or just didn’t have me laughing the way others have described. It’s different, unique, clever, and very well written. Yet I’m struggling to figure out if I really liked it or would recommend it. It’s definitely not a book that will be for everyone and not one I would re-read.
My biggest peeve for this dark trauma story is the ending is a bit abrupt. There’s no nice wrap up moment, reuniting everyone and putting them on a clear path forward into better lives or safety. Or at least not overtly enough for my comfort level.
If you want to try something that is very heavy in its use of analogy, metaphors, similes, etc. Listen To Your Sister is a good choice. If you have sibling rivalry or burden to process yourself this is an excellent choice to help you understand from all 3 siblings perspectives why they do what they choose to do. It’s a balanced read, one that lends towards understanding to the only girl and oldest (I’m also the oldest of 3 and can confirm the responsibility representation here is spot on), but also really connects you with a middle child who never feels unique enough, and the baby who just wants things to be better but can’t quite see their role in helping that happen (at first). There are a fair number of excuses produced for drug use, alcohol abuse, and abandonment. As well as a large narrative about what it means to be a guardian and how you give up a lot of yourself to do so. And there’s surely multiple thesis that could be written on the portrayal of selfishness amoungst siblings with useless parents.
If any of that sparks your interest, or might be something you have trauma to still process about then this could be the book for you.
If not, then I’d approach this one with the foreknowledge that it’s intense, doesn’t pullback on punches, and may not be for everyone.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
Follow me on Goodreads
