Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'

Bliss Montage by Ling Ma

16 reviews

jfin54's review against another edition

mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Racism, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Pregnancy, Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, and Drug use

toffishay's review against another edition

emotional funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

What a wonderfully strange collection of stories! I enjoyed reading these real-stories with varying levels of fantastical elements. They felt both grounded and other-worldly, feeling like real versions of our messed up world and messed up lives, in the most interesting possible way. I got something out of each story; none felt weak to me. My absolute favorite was "Returning", and I also really enjoyed "Los Angeles", "G", "Yeti Lovemaking", and "Office Hours." If you are looking for similar vibes, I might recommend Temporary by Hilary Lechter. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Xenophobia and Racism

Minor: Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Sexual violence

kaylasbewks's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

stars ,, 4.0
cawpile ,, 8.14

i actually loved this, even if it took me a minute to wrap my head around some of the overarching metaphors, the writing was gorgeous 'nd i'll definitely be checking out 'severance' by the same author. :) none of the stories really fell flat to me either, i definitely had my favourites, those being 'the office', 'peking duck' & 'tomorrow' but all of them were great. not being too detailed in this rvw because there's just ,, so much going on.

boobclub pick with mari !!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Death, Physical abuse, and Blood

blueyogi's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship and Pregnancy

Moderate: Body shaming, Xenophobia, and Drug use

Minor: Sexual content, Racism, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Fatphobia

mbmontgo's review

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic friendship, Body horror, Eating disorder, Domestic abuse, Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy

megbklyn's review

dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Toxic friendship, Pregnancy, and Xenophobia

perkyanda's review

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I loved this! The lack of resolution for the series Is the only aspect I didn’t love. But I loved the three and connection began stories, and the weirdness and realistic feelings and just aching they came through. I can’t wait till she has another novel or collection out!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Stalking, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Terminal illness, Infidelity, Xenophobia, Alcohol, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Grief, Misogyny, Body shaming, and Death

reads2cope's review against another edition

3.75

Disturbing, strange, unsettling, disquieting... I can't describe this book accurately, but I guess that's a start. I loved Severance and short stories aren't typically my favorite format, but Ling Ma has done it again, though some pieces were more enthralling than others. The last one, Tomorrow, actually made me gag with horror, which I normally avoid at all costs, so thanks for getting me out of my comfort zone.
I did have some trouble figuring out when each story ended and the next began, going to start begging audiobook producers to leave more of a pause between chapters and put more stress on chapter titles, but maybe that's just me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, and Drug use

Moderate: Drug abuse, Xenophobia, and Racism

Minor: Stalking and Toxic friendship

danibailey's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Drug use, and Xenophobia

Minor: Rape

marinabkat's review

challenging emotional reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Racism, Violence, and Xenophobia