Litsy

The Marigold | Andrew F. Sullivan

pick

Gentrification, corporations, decay and death. Oh, and fungi. Always that. In this book, the author uses urbanization and ‘synergy‘ speak to craft a narrative where POV of characters in all strata are tied to the same sinkhole:Toronto. The building up and being devoured down in the guise of buildings shows people don‘t matter, but the bottom line does. Well, until the bottom begins to become sentient. Great and creative!

3 likes

kwmg40

The Marigold | Andrew F. Sullivan

so-so

This horror story set in a decaying condo building in downtown Toronto is creepy and atmospheric, but the plot is weak and I found it hard to relate to any of the characters. The novel does provide cutting and insightful commentary on the social ills plaguing Toronto and similar cities.

42 likes

Dilara

Moss | Klaus Modick

Spring has sprung! At least in vases, because in the fruit bowl, we're still firmly in winter. I could buy hothouse strawberries but I'd rather wait for the local ones.
And I started Moss yesterday. I didn't do it on purpose, but this is my 5th book originally written in German since the start of the year - more than any other language bar French and English.

33 likes1 stack add

Robotswithpersonality

Fauna | Christiane Vadnais

pan

There's a point at which evocative surrealism eliminates sense-making and this is on the wrong side of that borderline. Also, gross and disturbing.
Would not advise eating while reading. 1/3

Robotswithpersonality 2/3 There were moments clearly outlining one version of our world a few years in the future where climate change has made things worse for everybody, and humanity's unchecked negative actions to continue to deteriorate the environment, but overall the novella is too disjointed. It doesn't come across as a teaching moment, just a dystopian backdrop. 1y

Robotswithpersonality 3/3 On the side of the yikes: it's never explicitly conveyed as ED, but there are MANY moments showcasing different behaviours that mimick disordered eating and it's effects, those currently struggling or recovering, be aware.

⚠️SA, animal death, abuse, body horror 1y

6 likes2 comments

rwmg

Pod: 'a Pacy, Provocative Tale of Survival in a Fast-Changing Marine Landscape' Daily Mail | Laline Paull

pick

Ea, a dolphin elder, the last of the Longi, looks back on her life.

An interesting story illustrating the different social customs among different types of dolphin and just how brutal they can be, and the impact of "anthrops" on the oceans.

26 likes

rwmg

Pod: 'a Pacy, Provocative Tale of Survival in a Fast-Changing Marine Landscape' Daily Mail | Laline Paull

#beachreading

Reggie Did you dip your toes in? 1y

rwmg @Reggie of course, but not much more 1y

23 likes2 comments

LynnMPK

The Marigold | Andrew F. Sullivan

I‘m only 26% in so far and really enjoying this!

1 like1 stack add

Robotswithpersonality

Pod: 'a Pacy, Provocative Tale of Survival in a Fast-Changing Marine Landscape' Daily Mail | Laline Paull

pan

Based on the story note at the end, I see what idea the author started out with. Unfortunately, I don't see it realized on the page. I would rather read non-fiction on the current state of the ocean, its inhabitants (and the leading theories on how to help it/them). I do not have an interest in tragedy porn as a method of raising awareness. And then there's the excessive violence against females and muddled messages around gender. NO. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? To clarify, if this was about marine mammals, among others, suffering as a result of humanity's effects directly and indirectly on the ocean, WHY also take on the theme abusive patriarchal societies as a form of corruption via recounting repeated physical and sexual abuse of females? Why simultaneously make so much of the story about sex/fertility/mating? 1y

Robotswithpersonality 3/? Why insinuate the sexual characteristics/genital changes " also referred to as transitions" of one wrasse is a result of changing water chemistry/mutation (not exactly a positive framework!) and that their acceptance of their hermaphroditic state (alluding to intersex or trans, either way to feels weird) is proclaimed by polyamorous free for all. I think it's supposed to feel sex positive, and maybe it's my ace agender viewpoint interfering, but as gender affirmation it feels like a narrow, uncomfortable standard. Just, so much of this book gave me the ick. ??‍♂️ 1y

Robotswithpersonality 4/? I think my most charitable read of this book is it tried to do too many things in too short a space, though considering the levels of violence involved, there's no way I would have gotten through a longer version. 1y

Robotswithpersonality 5/? Even if you are lacking an awareness of how humanity has polluted the ocean, big culprits being not just oil and plastic, but sonically, how our affects on climate change also have secondary effects on that environment, even if somehow you missed how damaging misogyny is for society as a whole, let alone all those who identify as women, I would not suggest this book as the way to learn about those issues. 1y

Robotswithpersonality 6/6 ⚠️Ableism, SA, animal death, animal cruelty, animal experimentation, mentions of suicide, suicidal ideation, body horror, depression/grief - mental health concerns - self-destructive behaviour, PTSD 1y

9 likes5 comments