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elenagroves's reviews
241 reviews
Mudflowers by Aley Waterman
2.0
Advanced reader copy received from NetGalley in exchange for review.
This reading experience was defined by one through line: ambivalence. (Which is likely why it took me three-and-a-half months to finish.) I enjoyed the technical aspects of this writing; the prose was fluid and mature. That said, I was not particularly moved by the story—I found myself frequently asking, "Why?" in response to certain plot decisions or attempts at thematic reveals. Were we as readers meant to have a stake in the protagonist's journey? I felt there was a facade of profundity without the proper execution. I am, however, interested to learn more about Waterman's in-progress second novel as this was by no means a "bad" book and certainly did harbor elements that piqued my interest.
This reading experience was defined by one through line: ambivalence. (Which is likely why it took me three-and-a-half months to finish.) I enjoyed the technical aspects of this writing; the prose was fluid and mature. That said, I was not particularly moved by the story—I found myself frequently asking, "Why?" in response to certain plot decisions or attempts at thematic reveals. Were we as readers meant to have a stake in the protagonist's journey? I felt there was a facade of profundity without the proper execution. I am, however, interested to learn more about Waterman's in-progress second novel as this was by no means a "bad" book and certainly did harbor elements that piqued my interest.