Gold Fame Citrus, written by Claire Vaye Watkins, is a beautifully written and hauntingly surreal novel that explores themes of love, loss, and survival in a dystopian future. The book is set in a near-future California that has been ravaged by drought and dust storms and follows the journey of two unlikely companions as they navigate the barren landscape in search of a better life. One of the strengths of the book is its evocative and poetic prose. Watkins is a masterful writer, and her descriptions of the desert landscape and the character’s inner thoughts and emotions are both vivid and haunting. The novel is filled with beautiful and memorable passages that linger in the mind long after the book is finished. Another strength of Gold Fame Citrus is its exploration of complex themes, such as the nature of love, the limits of human endurance, and the meaning of home. The characters are flawed and deeply human, and their struggles to survive in the harsh desert environment are both poignant and heartbreaking. The book is also notable for its unique and original approach to storytelling. Watkins blends elements of magical realism, science fiction, and literary fiction to create a world that is both familiar and strange. The novel is filled with surreal and dreamlike images, and its unconventional structure adds to its overall sense of otherworldliness. Overall, Gold Fame Citrus is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that is sure to stay with readers long after they have finished it. With its beautiful prose, complex characters, and haunting imagery, it is a book that is not to be missed.