A review by andintothetrees
The Memory of Animals by Claire Fuller

dark sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I liked the speculative fiction elements here, and the Revisiter device meant that there could be a dual plot line where we followed the main character in the present and saw what lead her there. I liked that the main character did not work in a fancy office job and the backdrop of the Greek economic crisis in stone sections was (surprisingly?!) compelling. I just couldn't connect with the book emotionally despite the fact it's told in first person. I don't think this author is a bad writer at all, but I just don't think her books are for me no matter how appealing the premises may be (I've DNFed a couple and this is the 2nd I've finished but felt kind of meh about).  It also felt a bit strange to read a pandemic-themed novel written after covid that didn't mention covid (and I assume from the other events, and the technology, that this was supposed to be set post covid) - I heard on a podcast that the author started writing this before covid, which probably explains it but it editing in a few mentions wouldn't have hurt.

Plot/compellingness 3/5
Themes 5/5
Characters 2/5
Emotional resonance 2/5
Writing style 3/5