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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
dark
sad
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was horrifying and gut wrenching and disgusting. It's not for the faint of heart or anyone who can't stomach graphic abuse of animals and children, sexual assault, and other wildly intense imagery. That said, it's an incredible examination of what makes a person into a monster and an important depiction of how the world looks at women and girls. Absolutely masterfully done. It has tones of Cormac McCarthy or if American Psycho was written with any depth.
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Sexual violence, Violence
dark
fast-paced
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Spoiler Free Review, Clint Eastwood style
The Good: The writing and the concept (horrific as it was). The subject matter is bleak but there were several passages so tragically beautiful that I found myself rereading them and pausing to think about what they meant, not just for the characters, but in my life and the lives of people I see every day.
The Bad: There were several times that things felt disjointed. We’re dropped into the middle of Suzy’s life without any preface then bam, an abuse here, a trauma there, but always leaving me with more questions. It jumps settings and timelines in a way that felt either unnecessary or too abrupt and unfinished.
The Ugly: Everything, but that’s not a criticism. This novella is a case study of the horrific abuse of two children and the long-lasting consequences for themselves and the people they encounter when the siblings attempt to make their way in the world.
Overall, the good outweighs the bad and I’m glad I read this one. I would recommend it to extreme horror fans, just mind the trigger warnings.
TW: physical/sexual child abuse.
The Good: The writing and the concept (horrific as it was). The subject matter is bleak but there were several passages so tragically beautiful that I found myself rereading them and pausing to think about what they meant, not just for the characters, but in my life and the lives of people I see every day.
The Bad: There were several times that things felt disjointed. We’re dropped into the middle of Suzy’s life without any preface then bam, an abuse here, a trauma there, but always leaving me with more questions. It jumps settings and timelines in a way that felt either unnecessary or too abrupt and unfinished.
The Ugly: Everything, but that’s not a criticism. This novella is a case study of the horrific abuse of two children and the long-lasting consequences for themselves and the people they encounter when the siblings attempt to make their way in the world.
Overall, the good outweighs the bad and I’m glad I read this one. I would recommend it to extreme horror fans, just mind the trigger warnings.
TW: physical/sexual child abuse.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy
This one physically made me nauseous from the very beginning. Suzy and Lim live with their sexually abusive mother. Suzy received the brunt of the molestation, and eventually kills her mother and flees with Lim to murder some other people. This one was crass and gory, but I do think people who suffer such events and turn into psychopaths because they lack empathy are very valid and almost expected to turn into serial killers. Of course this isn’t a set in motion, always validated outcome- but it does happen and it does make sense, when you read about the events described in this novella. A quick, disturbing, Uber realistic read.
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes