I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Past is Red by Catherynne M. Valente Published by Tor.com on July 20 2021
Genres: Adult, Science fiction
Pages: 160
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: Fragments of an old, dead world become something quite new in this emotional and surprisingly hopeful post apocalyptic tale.
Catherynne M. Valente is truly one of a kind. I have never read another author that comes close to matching her whimsical writing style, so when I picked up The Past is Red, I knew I would be reading something unique and special. And wow, this blew me away. If you’ve read her novel Radiance, then you will have some idea of what to expect (in terms of style and boundless imagination). You might recognize the first section in the book called The Future is Blue, which was published as a short story in 2018. Apparently Valente had more to say about Tetley and Garbagetown, which resulted in this novella.
In the future, Earth has been devastated by climate change and the land has disappeared under the seas, and except for a handful of scattered survivors, everyone is long dead. Tetley and her twin brother Maruchan were born on a huge, floating island of garbage called Garbagetown and don’t know any other way of life. Tetley’s story is divided up into two sections: first, when she is about seventeen, we are introduced to her life in Garbagetown, her fateful meeting with a boy named Goodnight Moon, and an unexpected act of violence that turns everyone in Garbagetown against her. The second section takes place when Tetley, now twenty-nine, is living by herself on a boat, having left her beloved Garbagetown after a series of events. It’s during this section that she recounts those adventures, taken against her will from her home in Candle Hole to a place called Pill Hill where she reunites with Goodnight Moon. The story alternates between the past and present, as Tetley paints a strange yet magical picture of post apocalyptic life atop an ever shifting pile of garbage.
The Past is Red doesn’t have a driving plot, so much as it’s a series of slice of life events that happen to Tetley over the course of about nineteen years. I happen to love stories like this, and combined with Valente’s descriptions of her unusual world, I found this such a joy to read. I want to talk about Tetley first, as she is a wonderful character. Valente gives her a childlike innocence that was so endearing. She knows nothing about Earth as it used to be—the world that the fuckwits destroyed with their selfish ways (“fuckwits” being us)—except through artifacts of the past. Throughout Garbagetown are piles and piles of items that survived the floods: books, electronics, maps, cassette tapes, clothing and much more, items we would call “junk” but which Tetley and the others in Garbagetown consider to be treasures. I loved the moments when Tetley discovered something new, like a menu from the Dorchester Hotel, and the way she gleefully read the menu items, not really understanding what they are but reveling in the idea of “chicken drizzled with a balsamic reduction and rosemary honey” anyway.
One of Tetley’s most beloved possessions is an Oscar the Grouch backpack, and I loved the way she treats Oscar as a family member, rather than an inanimate object. It’s clear that Tetley is damaged in many ways. She’s physically abused by her “friends” in Garbagetown, after an act of destruction turns her into a pariah, but she knows what she did was wrong and takes these beatings in stride. It was heartbreaking to read these sections, but her optimism and love of Garbagetown allows her to rise about the pain and keep living. Her relationships with people are inconsistent and often disappointing, but she has a few constant animal companions who make her days more bearable.
Valente’s world of Garbagetown was unexpectedly magical. You wouldn’t think piles of garbage would be fun to read about, but I was fascinated by the different parts of Garbagetown: Candle Hole (where Tetley lives) is made up of melted candles and smells like them too; Pill Hill is where all the drugs and pill bottles have ended up; Electric City has batteries and machines and solar panels, and you get the picture. There is a floating pier that occasionally stops to visit and put on a show, and there is always the possibility that somewhere out there, dry land exists. Valente’s tale is a cautionary one about taking care of our planet, but I also loved her message about nature always coming back, no matter what humans do to destroy it. Tetley has a hibiscus flower that has bloomed on her roof, and I loved this little touch of wild nature, proof that Earth has started the healing process.
My favorite part of the story, though, is when Tetley acquires a smooth black object that looks like a paperweight, but turns out to be oh so much more. If you’ve read the Rampart Trilogy by M.R. Carey, you will love this part, because it reminded me a lot of Koli and Monono and their relationship. This object, named “Mister,” leads Tetley to a truly amazing discovery, which elevated the story to another level entirely.
I literally burst into tears at the end, when something was revealed that I wasn’t expecting. I love when books hit me with an emotional punch like this. It doesn’t happen very often, but when it does, I know I’ve found a very special book.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
It sounds like a very interesting way to tell a story, the slice of life structure, I mean. Good review!
Priscilla Bettis recently posted…3rd Quarter 2021 Writing Goals
She did a really good job, that format doesn’t always work:-)
Lovely review – such a strange tale, I think I read it in one sitting and it provoked such a lot of thought afterwards plus a little googling looking at the Pacific trash pile.
Lynn 😀
Lynn recently posted…Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up
Thanks Lynn. It was strange and wonderful:-)
Oh wow, I think I need to know more about this author given your reaction but the end. It is an interesting premise, and she sounds so amazing considering the emotional punch of it.
She’s really good, and there are a few books of hers I haven’t read yet!
This sounds really cool. I’m interested in reading more slice of life types of stories. I read a few nice little wholesome ones when the pandemic was at its height and really enjoyed them, though this one sounds more emotional than the ones I read last year.
This is emotional in a good way, I would say:-)
ANIMAL COMPANIONS YOU SAY?
Yes! I didn’t talk much about them but there are a couple:-)
Ooh. I’m intrigued! I haven’t read anything by this author yet — I started Space Opera, and just couldn’t get along with it, which has made me hesitant to try her other books. Maybe I’ll give this one a try!
This is quite different from Space Opera. That wasn’t my favorite of hers:-)
Excellent review! I’m happy it was such a win for you.
Anne – Books of My Heart recently posted…Read-along & Giveaway: Play of Passion by Nalini Singh
Thanks Anne:-)
Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Thanks!
This sounds strange, but fascinating. And I love that it affected you so emotionally, that really says something about a book. I’ve not tried anything by Valente but when I checked my ebook collection I found Palimpsest, Deathless, and Silently and Very Fast. Have you read any of these? If they’re anywhere near as good as you found this one then I look forward to trying them.
I actually haven’t read any of those, but Deathless is on my TBR.
This sounds really good and I’ve always wanted to try that author!
She’s not for everyone, but she’s such a great writer.
Wow, this really does sound like a special book. I think this is the first time I’ve seen you mention a book that made you cry so that has me all the more intrigued.
I am a big cry baby sometimes, but this one really hit me hard for some reason, ha ha.
You and Lynn convinced me to give it a try 🙂
It’s short, you have nothing to lose:-)
5 stars, awesome! The format and length makes me think I might not do as well, but I’m glad you like these kinds of stories!
This really reminded me of Radiance, which I really loved:-)
I love the sound of this, and another new-to-me author. I have a copy of Deathless on my TBR but haven’t got around to it so far.
I like that this is a short book too, I think I could do with a couple of those after a few long reads 😀
I have Deathless on my TBR too, I just haven’t been able to squeeze it in:-)
This was such a compelling review! And when a book menages to surprise us and touch us so much, well, is always a gift!!
I know, it doesn’t happen that often:-)
I’ve loved Valente’s other books and this sounds wonderful. Great review!
Mervi recently posted…Michael Crichton: Jurassic Park
Thanks Mervi! I hope you get the chance to read it:-)
I’m so glad you liked this one so much! I love Catherynne M. Valente and her writing styles and have been so excited about this book, it sounds fantastic. Hopefully I can get my hands on it soon. 🙂
Jordan @ Forever Lost in Literature recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Could Read in One Sitting
I hope you love it!
I was already intrigued with the synopsis and your review, especially the part at the end, has me adding this for sure to my Goodreads TBR. Great review! So glad you brought this book to my attention because I might not have found it otherwise.
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature) recently posted…Blog Tour Review: 5 Rounds by Nikki Castle
It was so unique!
Could not agree with you more here! I wasn’t expecting such a huge emotional connection, but then there it was! I thought this was such a perfect combination of quirky but lovely, and it is definitely a new favorite! Great review, and I am so glad you loved it too!
Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight recently posted…Olympic Book Tag: Tokyo Style