TiniestBeetle's Book Journey

Excuse me while I process my emotions over how this book is everything I've been searching for.

I started listening to the audiobook on a whim too, I'm stunned that I've found a new favourite. I wasn't expecting to fall in love this delightful novel.

A beautiful fever dream, a mess of horrors and adoration and rebellion and art. Poetic in both its prose and its nonlinear storyline that guides us like tree roots through the lives of these queer creatures living in a cruel and delicious world.

And don't get me started on how perfect the narrator is (Max Meyers). AMAZING voice, has to be a theatre kid. I was so engrossed.

Need more of whatever this is. I need it injected into my veins. I already need to re-read it and soak in every word.

Precisely what was missing from Perdido Street Station – coherency. Don't misunderstand, I liked Perdido Street Station fine, but that book was mainly loose threads and vibes. The world swallowed the plot and spat out shiny pieces. Here, the narrative is meticulously sewn – without sacrificing the world's visceral immersiveness, too – and I so adore fine needlework.

So satisfying when all the stitches connect.

Now about the worldbuilding. So good 🤩. I'm certain many things went over my head (as someone who doesn't speak English natively, I probably should've used a dictionary far more than I did), but I didn't want to sacrifice that beautiful 'this feels real' feeling. Ennes has such sensorily rich prose. Just two books by them, and already they're one of my favorite writers – that's allowed, right? Tell me that's allowed?