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sandia28's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Amazing book! Highly recommend
anveri's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
omg!!
I am obsessed!!
In a crazy set of circumstances, a book I didn't like, Big Fiction by Dan Sinykin mention Karen Tei Yamashita and specifically, Tropic of Orange; and then I randomly chose a page and shelf on my To-Read shelf page that had Tropic of Orange on it. This is why I truly believe the right book will always find you at the right time.
Tropic of Orange is NOT for everyone. It is a satire and satires do require cultural historical and political knowledge to work. This is book is so firmly cemented in 90s politics that I can completely understand why someone would think that this is a cringe, heavy handed social novel if they don't have the proper context for it. And it is cringe but that is the point.
I loved the elements of magical realism and see the various storylines weave together. And given how much I was cringing during the first chapter, I did not expect to be so emotionally invested in all the characters by the end.
This was such an invigorating read. I actually struggled a bit with fiction this year (given I have already read 3o+ books this year. And my wish at the end of 2023 was to really be reinvigorated with fiction in an almost obsessive way like when I was 17 and read Haruki Murakami for the first time. In 2024 I was obsessed with Yuri Herrera and Vidgis Hjorth. And this year it looks like Yamashita is my new obsession.
I am obsessed!!
In a crazy set of circumstances, a book I didn't like, Big Fiction by Dan Sinykin mention Karen Tei Yamashita and specifically, Tropic of Orange; and then I randomly chose a page and shelf on my To-Read shelf page that had Tropic of Orange on it. This is why I truly believe the right book will always find you at the right time.
Tropic of Orange is NOT for everyone. It is a satire and satires do require cultural historical and political knowledge to work. This is book is so firmly cemented in 90s politics that I can completely understand why someone would think that this is a cringe, heavy handed social novel if they don't have the proper context for it. And it is cringe but that is the point.
I loved the elements of magical realism and see the various storylines weave together. And given how much I was cringing during the first chapter, I did not expect to be so emotionally invested in all the characters by the end.
This was such an invigorating read. I actually struggled a bit with fiction this year (given I have already read 3o+ books this year. And my wish at the end of 2023 was to really be reinvigorated with fiction in an almost obsessive way like when I was 17 and read Haruki Murakami for the first time. In 2024 I was obsessed with Yuri Herrera and Vidgis Hjorth. And this year it looks like Yamashita is my new obsession.
jax102's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An amazing book with a wide diverse cast and the story is honestly super intriguing. Definitely reccomend it!
mvos147's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-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
One of the few contemporary pieces of media focused on LA that isn’t just a circle-jerk about the city through the lens of pop culture. A beautiful, living, breathing characterisation of the city that swelters and moves at random
nomadjg's review against another edition
3.0
I love lots of things about this book. I think my rating which is probably lower that it deserves reflects how much I loved I Hotel which represents her later work. I particularly loved the character of Buzzworm and the perspective he offered. The main magical device just didn't resonate with me. It lacked narrative force. Some events near the end and at the end didn't work for me. Though a 3 isn't stellar, I still recommend the book. There is so much it offers to think about and I love the work scholars have done with it. For me, it was a must read so I could get deeper into the writing about it.
If I read this when it was published, it would have been 5 stars! Because it speaks to such a current moment with the internet, it feels dated now. Of course, that's also an incredible thing to record how people felt about the net and the thinking that its new weird burgeoning connectedness initiated, both the utopic and apocalyptic. I also wonder if we read many things differently now that we are in the midst of climate disruption post-COVID.
If I read this when it was published, it would have been 5 stars! Because it speaks to such a current moment with the internet, it feels dated now. Of course, that's also an incredible thing to record how people felt about the net and the thinking that its new weird burgeoning connectedness initiated, both the utopic and apocalyptic. I also wonder if we read many things differently now that we are in the midst of climate disruption post-COVID.
sneakysloths's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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? Yes
5.0
The shifting perspectives were really interesting and allowed Yamashita to use a lot of different narrative voices. The story drew me in emotionally. I really enjoyed how Yamashita used magical realism in the story.
morgenst's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Love the novel, excited to teach it. On rereading, the magical realism stuff, especially toward the end, does not work as well as I remember. Magical realism's an important generic touchstone for the novel, but the suddenness with which it takes over the last two chapters is too much.
meltsintoair's review against another edition
5.0
Okay the regularly scheduled mid December to late January depression has ended and I can read again. We're back. The global resurgence of fascism can't hold me down, I love books!
Also this book is amazing btw.
Also this book is amazing btw.
viachicago33's review against another edition
2.0
more closer to three stars, but i stalled out on this book in a major way.read the first 2/3 of the narrative in like two days, then took over a month to try and finish. I think had i read it with a group of people, i would have liked it more.