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ninetalevixen 's review for:
Passing Strange
by Ellen Klages
content warnings: racism (incl. Orientalism & anti-Semitism), queerphobia (especially homophobia and transphobia), misgendering & dead-naming, bi/pan erasure, racist & queerphobic slurs, mention of being outed, mention of conversion therapy, infidelity, emotional & physical domestic abuse, alcoholism, mention of past child abuse, on-page vehicular manslaughter, minor character death, suicide by OD, terminal illness, sexual harassment, blood magic
rep:third generation Japanese-American WLW MC [Helen], Jewish bi/pan MC with likely PTSD [Haskel], lesbian MC/LI [Emily], F/F main relationship, F/F secondary relationship, M/(bi/pan) F relationship, queer main cast, diverse minor characters incl. Asian, Asian-American & trans
I think going in with no idea of what this would be about (I got it as part of the [b:In Our Own Worlds: Four LGBTQ+ Tor.com Novellas|39724296|In Our Own Worlds Four LGBTQ+ Tor.com Novellas|Margaret Killjoy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1522942282l/39724296._SY75_.jpg|61405231] collection) worked out for the better, since I had to just take things as they came rather than having any preconceptions or expectations to affect the reading experience.
What stands out most is probably the general atmosphere: a sort of bubble of happiness snatched in a historical, conservative SF. There's a lot of fear and hate and intolerance that the characters have to deal with from outsiders, but there are also moments of joy and laughter and love. While the characters aren't super fleshed-out they do have distinct personalities, and their relationships (romantic & friendly alike) are vibrant.
The plot is engaging without being overly dramatic or overwhelming, allowing readers to focus on the themes and concepts being illustrated; this balance won't be for everyone, of course, but I quite liked that it's straightforward without being simple.
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CONVERSION: 12.2 / 15 = 4.5 stars
Prose: 7 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 8 / 10
Emotional Impact: 8 / 10
Development / Flow: 9 / 10
Setting: 9 / 10
Diversity & Social Themes: 4 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 3 / 5
Rereadability: 4 / 5
Memorability: 5 / 5
rep:
I think going in with no idea of what this would be about (I got it as part of the [b:In Our Own Worlds: Four LGBTQ+ Tor.com Novellas|39724296|In Our Own Worlds Four LGBTQ+ Tor.com Novellas|Margaret Killjoy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1522942282l/39724296._SY75_.jpg|61405231] collection) worked out for the better, since I had to just take things as they came rather than having any preconceptions or expectations to affect the reading experience.
What stands out most is probably the general atmosphere: a sort of bubble of happiness snatched in a historical, conservative SF. There's a lot of fear and hate and intolerance that the characters have to deal with from outsiders, but there are also moments of joy and laughter and love. While the characters aren't super fleshed-out they do have distinct personalities, and their relationships (romantic & friendly alike) are vibrant.
The plot is engaging without being overly dramatic or overwhelming, allowing readers to focus on the themes and concepts being illustrated; this balance won't be for everyone, of course, but I quite liked that it's straightforward without being simple.
-----------
CONVERSION: 12.2 / 15 = 4.5 stars
Prose: 7 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 8 / 10
Emotional Impact: 8 / 10
Development / Flow: 9 / 10
Setting: 9 / 10
Diversity & Social Themes: 4 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 3 / 5
Rereadability: 4 / 5
Memorability: 5 / 5