Book Review: Birnam Wood
March 15, 2025
Full of the horrors of late-stage capitalism, Birnam Wood also manages to be bitingly funny – especially in part one.
Ray loves reading all sorts of books, particularly when they feature lyrical writing and a snappy plot; tricky, messy relationships of all kinds; funny, clever people overcoming obstacles both mental and physical; and/or queer people, places and spaces. Memoir, historical fiction, poetry, contemporary fiction, (some kinds of) sci-fi, essays, and non-fiction epics have all featured in Ray’s recent reading.
(Ray has left Scorpio for other adventures, but we still love their reviews.)
Full of the horrors of late-stage capitalism, Birnam Wood also manages to be bitingly funny – especially in part one.
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Both funny and deeply sad, reading this is like watching a crash in slow motion – it’s deliciously addictive and hard to look away.
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Hot, uncomfortable, challenging, hopeful (and did I mention hot?).
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Richly detailed and action-packed, this novel feels both deeply personal and hugely expansive all at once.