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The kids are loving it. I feel dubious about the high ratio of capes.

Plot-wise, in some ways was predictable, but the details (e.g. knowledge of the soil, the delivery of placenta which is so often overlooked in fiction, the excellent writing skills of a character being explained) lifted the story from being maudlin. I particularly appreciate that rape wasn’t used as a plot point, and the willingness to make space for a not happy ending.

The strength of this book is how it details geneological forensics. I had mixed feelings about the authors description of her own parenting and road trips, I couldn’t really relate to it, but over time I could see its value in context- especially when it was clear her imagination about who people may be was laid aside for the reality of who they were; ie that her altruism truly was for the people and the memory of them, not just her (or my) own macabre fascination with the crime or tragedy surrounding their death. Great audiobook.

Listened to the audio book after watching the first film (having not ever read the books before). I loved the world building in the first half, and the dynamic between Paul and his dad the duke. The second half dragged a bit with the mystic politics, and the messianic theme. Would have loved more consistency in characters and strategic gain of power rather than magic, but I guess that’s the guts of sci-fantasy. Not sure about what almost sounds like appropriation of Islamic terms to describe foreign culture but overall some beautiful descriptions and I enjoyed listening. Not sure whether I want to read/listen to more though.

Meandering and sweet, I didn’t realise until quite a way into it that it was based on reality, not a fictional world or a fictional Luc. I loved the chapters discussing the concept that music is not music unless shared; and the pressure and performance anxiety that can induce. Made me want to play again, which is a lovely thing.

I went in thinking it would be mainly a story of one woman, and to a certain extent it is, but it’s also a personalised arc through Hawaiian and USA history. I really enjoyed it.

I read this with a friend, whose wife died suddenly.

I think it’s important to recognise Joan was writing her own specific situation, but that specificity has somehow made it more generalisable, more recommended to the recently bereaved. I don’t intend to suggest this book is some guide to grieving or something. It’s isn’t and it can’t. But it’s still very very very good.

My friend stated “If there is one thing from that book that hit me right in the ‘hell yes’, it’s the first section of chapter 17. This is the absolute truth of it and I’m glad she wrote it.”

So there’s that.

I found the initial chapters starting with her descriptions of micro-aggressions initially a little annoying, to be honest; but her story telling laid layer upon layer became rich and strong and explained well why “smaller” discourtesies can fire off painful responses. Deeply relevant for USA, still relevant for NZers. The chapter around white guilt in particular was really excellent, and the closing chapters were practical. An excellent book. #whitefragility @feijoatrees@mastodon.nz