Reviews tagging 'Vomit'

Himself by Jess Kidd

1 review

prettycloud's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This is a gorgeous book, at once poetic and also deeply down-to-earth. I don't think I've ever encountered the word "fart" so many times in a book before. There is humor here, but not nearly enough to deflect from the pervading sense of unease as the town's tolerance for violence is revealed. And yet there is charm and sweetness in the bonds the characters form with each other as they try to untangle the mystery of Mahony's murdered mother. It is a pleasure to get lost in these compelling characters and their magical town, even as its worst parts surface.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Blood, Child death, Gun violence, Violence, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Infidelity, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder

Moderate: Alcohol, Cancer, Pregnancy, Car accident, Gore, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Drug use, Vomit, and Fire/Fire injury

This is a very violent book. Though flowery in tone, it does not spare details in showing the series of murders that a small town pointedly remains oblivious to in the name of keeping the peace. The first scene is the first murder, and its lyrical-yet-graphic tone is about on par with the rest of the book, so it's a good litmus test.