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Canadian Jen's Reviews > The Vaster Wilds
The Vaster Wilds
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This was a yo-yo on my TBR. On and off with up and down reviews.
Groff hasn’t disappointed me yet- so I took a chance.
Her writing is captivating. A servant, who we only know as Girl, has run away and is in the vastness of the wilderness. We learn she arrived to the new country via a boat with a family and how she lost her first love aboard (or overboard in this case) only to find this new country riddled with famine, disease and some barbarian behaviours.
This is a story of courage and survival. The hardships of starvation, assault, poverty, and atrocities done to man by man.
But it was also a visceral read. I felt the dampness, the cold; smelled the fields and the wilderness.
This plight was a fight. It started off as a fearful one which gradually became a quiet and lonely one with only her thoughts; musings; fears; her reflection and acknowledgement of the past; visions; hallucinations and how strength and resilience build character.
This won’t be a read targeted for everyone. It is dark. It is depressing. But there is also a radiance of life.
4.25⭐️
If you have enjoyed
Fates and Furies&
Matrix, you may find this one as satisfying.
Groff hasn’t disappointed me yet- so I took a chance.
Her writing is captivating. A servant, who we only know as Girl, has run away and is in the vastness of the wilderness. We learn she arrived to the new country via a boat with a family and how she lost her first love aboard (or overboard in this case) only to find this new country riddled with famine, disease and some barbarian behaviours.
This is a story of courage and survival. The hardships of starvation, assault, poverty, and atrocities done to man by man.
But it was also a visceral read. I felt the dampness, the cold; smelled the fields and the wilderness.
This plight was a fight. It started off as a fearful one which gradually became a quiet and lonely one with only her thoughts; musings; fears; her reflection and acknowledgement of the past; visions; hallucinations and how strength and resilience build character.
This won’t be a read targeted for everyone. It is dark. It is depressing. But there is also a radiance of life.
4.25⭐️
If you have enjoyed
Fates and Furies&
Matrix, you may find this one as satisfying.
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Reading Progress
October 20, 2023
– Shelved
October 20, 2023
– Shelved as:
to-read
October 30, 2023
–
Started Reading
November 2, 2023
– Shelved as:
historical-fiction
November 2, 2023
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 91 (91 new)
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Jaidee
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Nov 02, 2023 11:27AM
May the Groff be with you Jen ~
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You so clever, Jaidee 😂
This has been languishing on my tbr too! I need to get to it- and The Matrix.
Okay then…. It’s going back on my list.., I was yo yo ing too!Fantastic review, my friend!
Was hoping you would like it! ❤️
One where the darkness is worth enduring? :-) It would seem so.
This has been on again, then off my list, so putting it back on! Thanks for the great review, Jen!
Terrific review, Jen. It’s been on my list , but I haven’t rushed read it because of the reviews. But your review has pushed me closer to reading it !
Christy wrote: "This has been languishing on my tbr too! I need to get to it- and The Matrix."I enjoyed both, Christy. The reviews aren't swelling with love though. Oh well. Hope you do enjoy both when you get to them
Karen wrote: "Okay then…. It’s going back on my list.., I was yo yo ing too!Fantastic review, my friend!"
I was getting dizzy! Looking fwd to your thoughts, Karen!
Lisa wrote: "Glad this one hit the mark for you."A satisfying one for sure. Thanks Lisa
Happy you decided not to listen to me, Jen. Even happier to see you enjoyed it.
Dianne wrote: "Was hoping you would like it! ❤️"I'm happy to have seen you loved it as that prompted me to move on it while I had it out, Dianne. That was actually the 2nd time I had it out. It was a good one but it def won't be for everyone.
Teres wrote: "Happy you decided not to listen to me, Jen. Even happier to see you enjoyed it."LOL. Oh Teres it wouldn't be for everyone for sure. I totally get where you were coming from although I was so intrigued with all the up and down reviews that I thought it might just be worth giving it a try to see if I made it past the first chapters. And you liked Matrix so maybe this is something you just have to be in the mood for?
Carmel wrote: "One where the darkness is worth enduring? :-) It would seem so."It surprisingly was, Carmel. But, maybe it's I have to be in the right mood for it. and I was.
Excellent review Jen 💖
Dana wrote: "This has been on again, then off my list, so putting it back on! Thanks for the great review, Jen!"I hear you, Dana. If you are in the right mood I think it will hit you the same :) Hopefully!
Really lovely review, Jen! I'm very glad you enjoyed the book. I don't think it's the right one for me, though.
Angela M wrote: "Terrific review, Jen. It’s been on my list , but I haven’t rushed read it because of the reviews. But your review has pushed me closer to reading it !"I think you will actually like this one, Angela. I know you read F&F not sure about anything beyond that. She is such a great storyteller. I hope you get to it as I want to know what you think!!
Thanks Maureen, Margaret, Angela & Debra!
Jodi wrote: "Really lovely review, Jen! I'm very glad you enjoyed the book. I don't think it's the right one for me, though."I get that, Jodi. It won't be for everyone but thanks for stopping in :)
Glad it ended up working out for you! Terrific review! 💞
Jayme wrote: "Glad it ended up working out for you! Terrific review! 💞"Thanks Jayme :)
Lovely review, Jen. I'll add it, I enjoyed Fates and Furies. I also saw Groff in Perth some years back.
Wonderful review, Jen. 🤗💕
I'm glad you enjoyed it even though it's a dark and depressing one. I'll keep it in mind for when I'm in the mood for a story like that. Great review Jen!! 🌟
Bianca wrote: "Lovely review, Jen. I'll add it, I enjoyed Fates and Furies. I also saw Groff in Perth some years back."That's awesome, Bianca! Hope you enjoy it :)
So happy you loved this one, Jen. I finished it last weekend but only got my review up last night. While I was as enamored as you by the descriptions of the wideners and the visceral understanding of her starvation, this one offered a bit of a conundrum for me (my reading was a yo-yo of up and down). In the end, I enjoyed her last novel with greater enthusiasm, while I did appreciate this one.
Shelley's Book Nook wrote: "Wonderful review, Jen. 🤗💕"Thanks Shelley!
Excellent review, Jen! I'm glad you liked it!
Tina wrote: "I'm glad you enjoyed it even though it's a dark and depressing one. I'll keep it in mind for when I'm in the mood for a story like that. Great review Jen!! 🌟"If you enjoy her writing, you may enjoy this one, Tina. But yes, it's a dark one & the mood may need to be just right :)
Melissa wrote: "So happy you loved this one, Jen. I finished it last weekend but only got my review up last night. While I was as enamored as you by the descriptions of the wideners and the visceral understanding ..."I did jump over to your review, Melissa but still await your rating. Which one was your last? Matrix?
It's rare that a yo-yo book works, so I'm really glad this clicked well for you, Jen!
Fabulous review, Jen! I fell into these pages easily as it began, despite how dark it sometimes became, but it was one of those books where I could see it all and feel it all.
thanks Ann & Julie!
Rosh wrote: "It's rare that a yo-yo book works, so I'm really glad this clicked well for you, Jen!"I was lucky, Rosh. I did feel the need to read this one despite the other reviews. Not everyone feels the same way on reads so I totally respect that some felt differently
Cheri wrote: "Fabulous review, Jen! I fell into these pages easily as it began, despite how dark it sometimes became, but it was one of those books where I could see it all and feel it all."I think it's one of those narratives you just can appreciate the language and the emotions; the ugliness of the world but the beauty too. It just was satisfying for me... and you, Cheri :)
Lovely review, Jen. I’m hoping I click with this one though I’ll be ready for a darker read.
Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader wrote: "Lovely review, Jen. I’m hoping I click with this one though I’ll be ready for a darker read."I'm looking so fwd to your thoughts, JT. Her writing is splendid :)
I just finished reading this one not all that long before you read this one. It is dark, and depressing often, but, like you, I found a sense of power in her resilience, which helped with the 'depressing' aspect of the story. An excellent and lovely review, Jen!
Cheri wrote: "I just finished reading this one not all that long before you read this one. It is dark, and depressing often, but, like you, I found a sense of power in her resilience, which helped with the 'depr..."Thanks Cheri. I need to check out her other ones that I put off because of those ratings too!
You have me curious! I don’t mind dark and sad, and I liked Fates and Furies, so I should give this one a try! Fantastic review!
Debbie wrote: "You have me curious! I don’t mind dark and sad, and I liked Fates and Furies, so I should give this one a try! Fantastic review!"Then I dare you to give this one a go, Debbie!
I just couldn’t finish Matrix, so I’m guessing this one is not for me either. Great review, Jen.
Yes the reviews have been very volatile! Great review Jen. I appreciate your insights.
