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spoko's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
emily_koopmann's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual violence
aimeekessell's review against another edition
4.0
Of the books I've read so far this year, this was one of the most beautifully written, even though the story itself was harrowing and deep and exhausting in that soul crushing way.
The Bones of Paradise gives a story ten years after the Wounded Knee Massacre and a family whose lives are intricately woven through this event. The writing is brutal and unforgiving but so perfectly done that you can't help but feel involved. The characters are flawed in the best way where you can hate them one moment but feel for their unfortunate souls at the next chapter.
Jonis Agee has written a masterpiece and due to the slow pace and dark story, it might not be on many people's To Read List--but it most definitely should. This 1900 Nebraskan tale is everything from a murder mystery, to a Wild West piece and a literary stroke of genius.
4.5/5
The Bones of Paradise gives a story ten years after the Wounded Knee Massacre and a family whose lives are intricately woven through this event. The writing is brutal and unforgiving but so perfectly done that you can't help but feel involved. The characters are flawed in the best way where you can hate them one moment but feel for their unfortunate souls at the next chapter.
Jonis Agee has written a masterpiece and due to the slow pace and dark story, it might not be on many people's To Read List--but it most definitely should. This 1900 Nebraskan tale is everything from a murder mystery, to a Wild West piece and a literary stroke of genius.
4.5/5
bb_laurens's review against another edition
3.0
This was a mystifying tale of betrayal and deceit. It was also educational in some indigenous beliefs. Every tribe is so different and beautiful.
sjanke2's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Colonisation
audreylee's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This was so depressing. True in many places but depressing, nonetheless. This family was a nightmare. The descriptions of the land were lovely and while the killer was fairly obvious, it was depressing just how many of the characters could easily have been guilty of such a crime. Parts of this story felt like an overstep.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide and Sexual assault
rdebner's review against another edition
4.0
I had put this on my list, since I really liked The River Wife, and I was delighted to receive a copy of this book as a publisher giveaway. Set in the Sand Hills of Nebraska at the end of the 19th century, the novel focuses on the Bennetts, a ranching family, and those who are tied to them through the events that happen at the beginning of the story. It is also a story of life in the Plains states in the wake of the massacre at Wounded Knee, the nascent conflict between ranchers and settlers wanting to hold onto their way of life and their land, in the face of those who would despoil that land for greater profit (oil and gas), and an acknowledgement that the ranchers are tenants on land that does not truly belong to them.
emilycc's review against another edition
3.0
It is entirely possible that Westerns are just not for me. This also suffered from a narrator who never settled into a natural rhythm and used so much whispering that I kept having to adjust the volume. I was rolling my eyes through the denouncement., because the big bad turned out to be so over the top, especially after many of the other characters were given nuance and complexity. Still, some lovely writing and fascinating, depressing history.
kiwi_fruit's review against another edition
4.0
Historical fiction (the massacre at Wounded Knee), a mystery to solve (who murdered a native girl and a local rancher) with a distinctive literary fiction flavour. I loved the descriptions of Nebraska Sandhills, the author’s writing style and the well-defined and complex characters, each one adding a layer to the story.
There are a few parts involving violence but in their vivid descriptions, the author presented the facts without dwelling on them, it did not bother me but I thought I’d better mention it.
I think the novel should have ended at 80%, when it became clear who the killer was, after that point, the tone of the book changed and spoiled it for me (with fit-for-movie romance and ending), however, I am definitely interested in reading another book by this author. 3.5 stars rounded up
There are a few parts involving violence but in their vivid descriptions, the author presented the facts without dwelling on them, it did not bother me but I thought I’d better mention it.
I think the novel should have ended at 80%, when it became clear who the killer was, after that point, the tone of the book changed and spoiled it for me (with fit-for-movie romance and ending), however, I am definitely interested in reading another book by this author. 3.5 stars rounded up