Reviews

Carpentaria by Alexis Wright

tracycumming's review against another edition

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5.0

How to write a review when the story I read had such an ethereal quality while also being so raw, grounded and honest.

For a white Australian this story reminds, and confronts, me with the cataclysmic change inflicted on the indigenous people for the last 200 years… and counting ..

But this is now a shared story full of imbalance, and complexities. The people who live in this story are strong, resistant, brutal, odd, driven and all the other things that influence individuals and groups in power and on the margins to behave and be who they are.

Wonderfully written, but stay focused because the story can slip away from consciousness.. into a dream like world .. the land and seascape are ever present … but it has eked into my being and thinking and, I hope, for good.

christianlittle's review against another edition

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challenging mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

nomadjg's review against another edition

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4.0

The depiction of racism and racial and judicial violence really reminds me of African American history and then the question of land intersects with Oceanic as well as Native American struggles against settler colonialism. It was a difficult read at times due to nonlinearity though it is a strength of the book, too. It so worth sticking it out and continuing to read. It has strong implications for ecocriticism, too.

kirstenfindlay's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

tdlitwin's review against another edition

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5.0

A modern masterpiece. Every line demands a close reading lest you miss Wright dropping in a line that makes you reconsider your relationship with the world. A book that definitely warrants a reread to better understand.

soupcreature's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

bessjoyce's review against another edition

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Couldn't get into the story, too slow. But would be interested in trying again another time. 

maryoshiko's review against another edition

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The writing is really disjointing for my tastes and I felt it took me out of the narrative rather than drawing me in. Perhaps it’s utilising storytelling technica more familiar to an aboriginal audience? In any case, I sadly couldn't keep up with it.  

lottie1803's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense

4.0

emilyvandenbroeck's review against another edition

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adventurous reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5