Sorrowland
By Rivers Solomon
Sorrowland is weird.
Weird stories are challenging. Some make no sense. When the reader gets to a resolution – or lack thereof – it’s a big letdown. Sometimes it seems like a story makes no sense, but the author’s resolution snaps everything in place. It’s a wild ride with a satisfying conclusion.
Sorrowland is a wild ride.
Vern is a pregnant teen escaping from the cult-like compound where she lived with her mother and big brother. She wants to find her friend Lucy, who had previously escaped. She’s also fleeing the “fiend”, an unseen enemy that either wants to kill Vern or return her to the compound.
Vern evolves into an extraordinary woman along the way. Parts of her story are bizarre and even unsettling, but I wanted to keep reading to find out what was next on her journey. The resolution ties up loose ends and, more importantly, makes sense.
I tried to explain the plot to my teenage son, and his mouth kept dropping as I added details. If a reader has an open mind and is willing to ride the roller coaster, Sorrowland is worth it.
Sorrowland is different, and that’s a compliment.
Sorrowland is different, and that’s a compliment. Click To Tweet
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher Farrar, Straus and Giroux for an advanced review copy of the book.
