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relyen's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lee_loryn_'s review against another edition
2.0
When I hovered over the 2 stars I couldn't bring myself back down to just 1 star. The stories were so short that I was delighted mostly by that aspect. Otherwise, I get why Denis Johnson's writing is interesting and why I think I've met a few people who've drooled over it. I was not taken by it at all and only really fell for a few sentences, quips, and phrases. Glad I read it after all these years, but it was followed by more hype than I thought it was worth.
robin_booklabpartner's review against another edition
dark
funny
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tinkerer's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
laurianeisreading's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I think we're ALL big black men
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Stalking, Sexual violence, Blood, Car accident, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Racism, Rape, and Abortion
Minor: Chronic illness
blake_lavanchy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Genuinely a brilliant collection of stories which are like flashes of lightning in the night—urgent, revelatory, violent, and beautiful. Reading the collection is like sitting at a bar (like the Foxhead for those who know) and being told the strangest most pitiful stories in the world by the stranger next to you and you buy each other drinks.
greaydean's review against another edition
3.0
A fine small collection of stories. Well written, delightful pacing. There were a few that packed a bit of a punch, but some just rambled too much and never really delivered.
ncghammo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Addiction, and Gun violence