Mostly Dead Things by Kristen Arnett (Review #233)

"What does it take to come back to life? For Jessa-Lynn Morton, the question is not an abstract one. In the wake of her father’s suicide, Jessa has stepped up to manage his failing taxidermy business while the rest of the Morton family crumbles. Her mother starts sneaking into the taxidermy shop to make provocative animal art, while her brother, Milo, withdraws. And Brynn, Milo’s wife―and the only person Jessa’s ever been in love with―walks out without a word. It’s not until the Mortons reach a tipping point that a string of unexpected incidents begins to open up surprising possibilities and second chances. But will they be enough to salvage this family, to help them find their way back to one another?"

Review:

This was a fantastic read. It wasn’t like anything I’ve ever read before, I don’t even know where to begin. With a lime green background and a bright pink flamingo on the cover, I think I was expecting something a bit more vivacious and action-packed. While it wasn’t exactly action-packed, the emotions provided all the color. The prevailing ones were primarily hurt and anger but all others weaved through those two like threads in a blanket. 

This was everything; this was family, this was relationships, this was very Florida, and it was very very gay. The emotional damages these people have is so immense and no one wants to talk about a SINGLE THING!!!!! Almost as suffocating as the Florida humidity. 

The best part of this whole book was the visceral physical imagery coating the entire plot. Mostly Dead Things is more true than we want to see, but the ickiness and morbidity made it all so much more interesting. Our main character is so messed up and so is everyone else, and the humanity in no one being right or wrong really drove this whole thing home for me.

Overall an enjoyable read, im very pleased with this one. As always, let me know your own thoughts and feels down below in the comments!