Scan barcode
heidishartrandnewell's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Blood, Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Death, Violence, Murder, Infertility, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Abandonment, Homophobia, Mental illness, Animal cruelty, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Pregnancy, Racism, Ableism, Abortion, Cancer, Child death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit
savvylit's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Schweblin is an absolute master of realism-rooted horror. In Headlight, a group of abandoned brides gather their rage. In Butterflies, a man idolizes his daughter's beauty to devastating effect. In Toward Happy Civilization, a man finds himself forced to live at a train station. Every single one of the stories in this collection is a bite-sized experience of discomfort. Highly recommend this for anyone who enjoys horror where the scariest thing is human nature.
One of the stories, The Test, is solely about animal cruelty. I personally had to skim it because I cannot stomach reading about that type of violence.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Grief, Violence, and Murder
More...