#and i don't know if i cosign all of past me's review opinions

[librarycards]

speaking of books, i'm just wondering if you've read the novel "pet" by akwaeke emezi? i'd be curious about your thoughts on it, both as a YA novel, and in terms of its understanding of utopia

spoilers below

i read it quite a while ago and didn't like it - i'm not fond of the ease and neatness of predator --> rehabilitation, esp. presented to young readers. the idea that a kid, with the help of a mythical being/divine intervention, is responsibilized in punishing a literal and figurative monster, feels so fucking off to me. what about the kids who will never get their justice, who will go through this alone? ugh. i hate this (ab)use of "utopia" as a space where Everything Works Out uwu, especially in such a brief book.

i'm a fan of emezi's work and emezi as a person. their books for adults have been excellent, as far as i've read them. i don't think they're good at writing for young readers, and that'd be the case even if i was fond of the message of the book: the pacing and tone were really inconsistent, and i was especially perplexed at the simultaneous precosity and childishness of a 16 year old MC. in terms of metatext, it has the distinction of being overly didactic and also, imo, insufficient in its political/pedagogical vision?

anyway, yeah. didn't like, but. still have the book and maybe need to reread it. if only for the cool eye melting scene.