Reviews

Cows by Matthew Stokoe

dietdrama's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.25

microcactus's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

ok I guess

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Self harm and Cannibalism

Minor: Racial slurs and Rape

why did the author have to use the n slur though wtf 😒

srmowrey's review against another edition

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Fatphobia, Gore, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, Excrement, Vomit, and Murder

ellasbooks0930's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

megano221's review against another edition

3.75

what the fuck /pos

cassiejean's review against another edition

challenging dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.25

What the actual fuck.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Excrement, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail

aylamae's review against another edition

5.0

it definitely was the most disturbing book i’ve ever read

jessieistired's review against another edition

1.0

Don’t read this if you like cows, or good books.

evieejpg's review against another edition

challenging dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I actually threw up after the poop scene... I did ask for a really effed up book and that's what I got so I'm not complaining. I never thought I would find a book that truly disturbed me...... I was wrong.
Matthew really has a way of describing people that makes you want to throw up and scratch your skin off, thanks babe I'm traumatised 

schymek's review against another edition

3.0

Meat doesn’t have the brains. It just works till it dies or until someone cuts it up

A David and Goliath filled with shit, blood and guts between Mother and Son. A lover in a frenzied search of her illness within the bodies of others. A maniacal meat processing plant holder who penetrates the protagonist's body and soul. 25 year old Steven has it all, as he searches for a way out of his current life, into something greater, something he's known from TV. CN for sexual assault, body horror, scat etc etc.

This novel was fucked up, and borderline unnecessarily so. However the power dynamics, the capitalistic critique covered - quite literally - in feces and blood, was rather intriguing, despite the novel's nastiness. Definitely not for everyone, but if you've liked Tender Is the Flesh - it's like this but on steroids.