A review by mariball
Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino

dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad fast-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

5.0

I loved this book and its tender portrayal of an alien, Adina, who is sent to Earth to document it and its inhabitants. It’s not a sci-fi story but rather a bildungsroman, documenting the major moments of her life with wry humor and deadpan observances of human nature- love, hate, fear, ego, and hope. Who hasn’t felt like an alien, continuously confounded with the world around them?