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alienrights's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
alyssastag's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was cool. I feel like I haven’t read an actually devastating tragedy like this in a minute. At first I was really annoyed at his name being repeated so much but I was able to ignore it after a while. Maybe supposed to be a reminder that he is a person despite this soul-consuming work he’s committed to? Also hated how shitty of a person he is, but now that I’m done I’m questioning how much he actually remembered/knew about his life vs. how much was “packaged” away after starting his job. I’m left wondering what exactly was real, what were dreams, or if Jonathan’s world is an indistinguishable mix of dreams and reality. Like is the office building an actual setting or does he just go there in his dreams? Also what happened to his mom? Was she one of the first to fall victim to this? This was definitely an entertaining (terrifying) critique of late stage capitalism and I enjoyed reading it.
lgiery's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
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? No
3.5
Disorienting. Dedicated to "the forgotten who have been worked to death," the book serves as a dark critique of late-stage capitalism, American work-culture, and perhaps American society and values in general. The book explores many uncomfortable truths about a nation that often puts value in the wrong place.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Child death, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Death of parent
leela_dallas_multipass's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.75
I almost quit this book very early on bc of the repetition of the main character's name and I'm sooooo glad I didn't! I believe it's very intentional and it does subside after the first few chapters. This story needed to be told, because not enough is being said about the very real state of late stage capitalism and those who struggle within it. I legit cried at the end. Bittersweet and beautfiful. I will be buying a copy for my permanent collection and loaning it out frequently.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
emloueez's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I loved the concept, I'm not sure why I didn't fully connect with this. Some lovely and sad and funny moments, but I felt like the plot was a little hard to follow sometimes. I also felt like some of the writing was a little didactic.
alymac42's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tabitha_thorns's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book hit me at exactly the right time. Well-written surrealist fiction/light sci-fi, excellent critique of late-stage capitalism and how it makes us passively cruel. Loved every word. Loved the last few paragraphs. Horrifying in the right doses. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind meets Sorry To Bother You. Heartbreaking and wonderful
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Child death
mk_loisirs's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
slefebvre95's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Grief, Car accident, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Sexism
lauralauralaura's review against another edition
3.0
I had a hard time getting through this book. The idea was just interesting enough (literally stealing people's dreams to make capitalism thrive more) that I could just about get past the horror of the idea and the general moist cluelessness of the protagonist. Just not my thing, even though I can see how others would like this book.