What readers think of The Antidote, plus links to write your own review.

This book is terrific. Slow build to a big finish. Based in history on the devastating dust storms of the 1930s, Russell also weaves in the plight of the Indigenous people of the plains who were displaced, removed, or starved out by the settlers moving westward in the application of America's Manifest Destiny notion. Into this framework Russell also adds some special women.

Women who can store memories, women who can photograph what was or will be, special people. When you are first introduced to The Prairie Witch, it seems possible that a woman could promote herself as a Vault. Take in your bad memories and "store" them for a price. It was the Depression but she has to live. ( If she had HSAM like Marilu Henner, she could give them back to you too if you wanted otherwise maybe she'd just change towns).

In any case, this book is well researched, history respected and if that provides the boundaries for the story, then Russell just doesn't color within the lines-she colors outside them in the most delightful way.

Did you find Swamplandia to be unsettling and yet, a terrific read? The Antidote starts with a graphic gut punch and though you want to look away, Russell's talented writing keeps you reading. The book is a kind of science fiction (Prairie Witch) meets historical fiction (Dust Bowl) meets engaging characters. Russell asks the reader to think about our collective American history, our land, and the how our our mythology makes us and breaks our hearts.

The Dust Bowl was also brutal in Nebraska. Karen Russell captures the damage living in this hostile nature can do to one physically and emotionally. Her writing can be as brutal as the storm surrounding her characters. But she also illustrates their perseverance and determination to achieve their goals. Dust murders the sun, becomes tiny knives aimed at the eyes, but the stronger people continue. Those who enjoy history in fictional form will be glad they have read this book.

This book is a complex of stories, characters and places. what you see is not always what you get.

Told from three points of view (with a few other short ones thrown in), the reader learns about the land and people of Uz, Nebraska in the late '30s, during the dust bowl. You learn about harp Oletsky, a pretty straight forward guy, his niece, asphodel, a teenager (need i say more?) and Antonina Rossi, also know as "the antidote", a prairie witch.
what's a prairie witch? in this book, she is someone who listens to your most horrible secrets (deposits) after which you cannot remember them. everyone has things they wish they could forget: things done, things seen, even things thought. while reading the book the reader gets to discover these secrets and thus unmask the people who hold them.

In 1935, we experience the Black Sunday dust storm as well as the flooding of the Republican river when 24 inches of rain fell within 24 hours. we also learn how land was stolen from the native inhabitants and how they were mistreated and abused.
the novel flows between fantasy and reality so seamlessly that the boundary lines separating them disappear. looking back on history, it is often difficult to believe that really happened.

I started "Swamplandia" when it came out and did not finish it. I'm not sure i would have finished "the antidote" either if i hadn't promised to write a review. but i am glad i did. the characters are well drawn and engaging even if not likable and the historical parts of the novel are worth learning about and remembering. Russell has a way with words, that is for sure. how do you not contemplate phrases like, "i don't know how to want what i can get", or "A seed is a funny little casket. Bury it, and something springs to life."

The Antidote is a compelling story with characters that truly epitomize the struggles, heartache and desperation of the time period, but doesn't leave out the grittiness and rawness that gnaws at each character to pull themselves through their struggles.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I laughed, felt immense empathy, learned quite a lot about the Dust Bowl and the desolation of that time period. If you liked the tv show Carnivàle, you will see similar elements of characters and their development and the overall story of survival.

I think this book is perfect for history buffs, historical fiction readers, those who love imperfect characters or are into witchy tales, and any reader who wants to "hear" a great story.

Karen Russell's talent and prose jumps from the page at every turn. The imagery is surreal and takes the reader right into the story. The characters lament throughout touches your heart and propels you forward to read more.

It would be very interesting to me to read this book within a book club and compare notes on parts of the story to see how others perceive it.

I really enjoyed The Antidote and look forward to reading more from Karen Russell!

Thank you so much for this opportunity!

I started and stopped reading this book a number of times because it wasn't clicking with me. Finally, I started at the beginning of this book and completed it within a two week period of time. I did do some background research so I could find out what magical realism is all about.

I admit my interest in this book was more with the factual accounts of The Great Depression, Black Sunday and displacements of Native American Indians from their land. I admit the author's writing was excellent and provided vivid images of all the character and periods noted in this book.

I would recommend this book highly to anyone that is more engaged with historical fiction than textbook history. I think the length of the book would be a drawback to some readers, but if that can be minimized it could be a book for consideration.

In her signature, slightly off-kilter way, Russell again takes us into a world where things are not quite as expected. It is 1930s dust bowl Uz, Nebraska and the town has been decimated by the howling winds and blowing topsoil, frightened by the found bodies of missing women, and scandalized by corruption and deceit.

The Antidote aka The Prairie Witch is the main character. She is an older woman with a mysterious back story that we learn as we go along. She got her names because she allows people to give her their uncomfortable memories which she stores for them in what is referred to as the Vault. Occasionally they may come back to retrieve them using a prescribed process.

There is a lot going on in this story with young orphan basketball player, a creepy sheriff, a lonely widower, a speaking scarecrow, and a government photographer. Each character is likely to surprise you at some point but consistent throughout is Karen Russell's magical vision and presentation of themes that will resonate long after the final page. With a big punch at the end this is sure to be one of the most memorable and original tales you read this year.

Hello, I love to read and listen to book and can get into almost any book, but The Antidote is just too weird for me. I like the style of writing. The author makes me read sentences twice because of how she puts together her thoughts. It's so evocative. The problem is the plot content. I read the first 100 pages and just can't get into her space. It's too fantastical and the story seems so nonsensical. It's too bad, because I really like her writing style. I can get interested in many book, but this one I just can't complete.