Grievers by adrienne maree brown

Bookseller: Erin
Publisher & Year Published: AK Press, 2022
Book Title: Grievers
Author: adrienne maree brown
Genre: Dystopia, Horror, LGBTQIA+, Novella
Series: No

Favorite Quote or Scene: Any and all scenes where Dune is in the basement.

Gist: A mysterious plague is overtaking Detroit. We follow our protaganist, Dune, as they navigate this new reality that is growing more desperate and lonely day by day while simultaneously discovering their family history and it's ties to the city.

What you expected vs reality? I expected this to be a bit faster in terms of pacing. With that said, I devoured this book. brown's writing is so deliberate and enveloping at the same time, it propels you forward.

Takeaways & Reflections: This short book is such a beautiful look at grief, loneliness, and community. The realism contained within brown's writing will pull you in and challenge you at the same time. You are drawn fully into Dune's world, which includes learning about decades of activism and resistance in Detroit, through lovingly written prose and a slow, powerful character study of those that inhabit said world. This is part of an ongoing series and I cannot wait to spend more time with Dune and the rest of their community.

Who would you recommend this to? This is not a novel for those who like a traditional story arch. If you're into gorgeously rendered, heartwrenching exploration of grief and survival, this is for you.