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A review by anveri
Tropic of Orange by Karen Tei Yamashita
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.