Reviews

Beast by Paul Kingsnorth

bhocken8's review

4.0

Phewf! A book which drags you uncomfortably through an existential crisis; hollows you out, exfoliates your very being and reminds you of life's terrific beastliness.
A stylistic cousin of Eimeer McBride's visceral stream of consciousness. Like her protagonist's moments of epiphanic release and splendour at the sea shore, Kingsnorth's human subject learns to breath again, battling and surviving alongside the elemental nature of the west-country moors.
For those in need of an escape from the city or life. For nature lovers. For the philosophic among us.

fiona_claffey_kelly's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

purple_sunglasses_101's review against another edition

challenging mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

andreaedits's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective 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

3.5

methe_lor's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense 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

4.0

ronanmcd's review

4.0

A post everything world, a man, if he exists, wanders broken through the wreck of a British upland. He follows or is followed by a cat, if it exists.
The writing is broken, like poetry, or someone talking in a fever.
The world is harsh, gives nothing, it's empty and unclear.
I had to read entire sections a number of times. The way the language flows without too much formal structure means you can lose your way, retrace your steps, find a different meaning. Exactly as the narrator does.

space_cookie's review against another edition

challenging slow-paced

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

1.0

vickyreads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

i can completely understand why some people don't like this book. that said, i really enjoyed it!

it did take me a month to read, and there were days i picked it up and didn't have the patience for the story or the main character, but ultimately i think it was... i suppose satisfying is the best word? 

not really a spoiler, more just a vibe: 

one of the reviews on my copy from the library mentioned how it's a really good look at loneliness, and i really agree.

 

and, as a character study, this book excels, in my opinion.

edited to add: i did also think the stylistic choices used in this book worked well with the plot!

orrantw's review

2.0

Im not sure what happened, but I guess this is what happens when an over-confident straight white man decides to be an author.

tpeacock23's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0