Gingerbread

I could not follow this book. There were layers of something I just did not get.

absurd in the most fun way. loved it

This book was an absolute treat. At the reading I attended for this book, Oyeyemi cautioned against using the f-word (fairytale) to describe the work, and I can see why. The characters in this book have so much more depth than any fairytale creatures, though the book is built on a familiar skeleton. It's a tale of pairs and parallels: Harriet and Gretel, Harriet and Perdita, London and Druhastrana, Ari and Ambrose, Gabriel and Rémy. Her prose sparkles (or shines, whichever is more complimentary) and it's the cleverest, funniest novel I've read in a long time. As with all great books, I'm inspired to dive into the author's back catalogue.

Moving, cathartic, and hilarious novel of nested fairy tales, ghost stories, gothic romances, and changelings that left me wanting to reread it the moment it was over.