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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I slowly became very endeared with Hal, despite none of the characters being lovable, I cared for him a lot by the end.
The ending may not be satisfying because there is no “justice” of the abuser getting what he deserved but I think it’s more reflective of the complexity of reality and human emotion and behavior. I think all too often we care more about the punishment of abusers than the people they have abused.
Another point: I think it was a realistic and nuanced portrayal of how someone who was subjected to CSA reacts to it and their abuser. I think those of us who have not experienced CSA find it too easy to say that we would hate our abuser, and I think Hal definitely does feel hate, but he also feels love for his father which, hurts him too. It’s not easy to cut off your abusers, especially when they’re family.
His disassociation from his body and pleasure and how he engaged in sex I thought were also incredibly realistic. It also didn’t shy away from the uncomfortable truth that, sexual stimulation, even if it is through rape, can bring orgasm and in no way does that justify it. Orgasm is not consent.
Another point: I think it was a realistic and nuanced portrayal of how someone who was subjected to CSA reacts to it and their abuser. I think those of us who have not experienced CSA find it too easy to say that we would hate our abuser, and I think Hal definitely does feel hate, but he also feels love for his father which, hurts him too. It’s not easy to cut off your abusers, especially when they’re family.
His disassociation from his body and pleasure and how he engaged in sex I thought were also incredibly realistic. It also didn’t shy away from the uncomfortable truth that, sexual stimulation, even if it is through rape, can bring orgasm and in no way does that justify it. Orgasm is not consent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Incest, Sexual assault
Moderate: Homophobia
challenging
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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:
Complicated
I couldn’t do it. Weird, incestuous, not for me. Everyone was insufferable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Pedophilia
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wasn't initially sure what to expect from this book, appearing to be somewhere between a historically inspired piece and a reimagining of Shakespeare's Henry IV and Henry V. But having since finished it in just under 4 days, I can only say that I very much look forward to reading more from this author - I haven't been this disappointed to find out that a novel is a debut in a very long time! I love Bratton's writing style, and I love the way he made all the characters feel very truly real. In spite of the lives they lead, the very aristocratic manners and motions they go through, they still also feel like people you could easily meet in your day to day. What a fantastic book- Bratton has a great career ahead of him, for certain.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Alcohol, Colonisation, Classism