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pznightingale's review against another edition
5.0
Don't read this book
Edit: I actually want to give this a real review because it's still in my head (which is rare) and I did absolutely love it.
First, let me reiterate: Don't read this book. It's disgusting. I mean really, really, it's horrific. I made noises out loud. I read through my fingers. The author absolutely takes pleasure in writing something he knows full well is going to make people want to fully toss this book out the window. I think he even says in the afterword that he's surprised people gave it positive reviews.
I loved it for a few reasons, but let's ignore the most obvious one—is there something severely wrong with me? (Maybe!!) But no, I loved it because, against all odds, it managed to be kind of beautiful. And, somehow, every single horrifically disgusting thing that happened was totally relevant. It all intertwined together like some fleshy braid of genital mutilation stories and somehow Ralston brought to term and birthed a hideously logical conclusion. How can you hate even the most extremely gory sequence of events when it has the audacity to come together in a way that's so narratively...satisfying?
Anyway, I'm probably a lifelong fan now and I'm pretty mad about the whole thing.
Spoiler
***Edit: I actually want to give this a real review because it's still in my head (which is rare) and I did absolutely love it.
First, let me reiterate: Don't read this book. It's disgusting. I mean really, really, it's horrific. I made noises out loud. I read through my fingers. The author absolutely takes pleasure in writing something he knows full well is going to make people want to fully toss this book out the window. I think he even says in the afterword that he's surprised people gave it positive reviews.
I loved it for a few reasons, but let's ignore the most obvious one—is there something severely wrong with me? (Maybe!!) But no, I loved it because, against all odds, it managed to be kind of beautiful. And, somehow, every single horrifically disgusting thing that happened was totally relevant. It all intertwined together like some fleshy braid of genital mutilation stories and somehow Ralston brought to term and birthed a hideously logical conclusion. How can you hate even the most extremely gory sequence of events when it has the audacity to come together in a way that's so narratively...satisfying?
Anyway, I'm probably a lifelong fan now and I'm pretty mad about the whole thing.
layc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Medical trauma, Drug use, Infertility, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Addiction, Body horror, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Abortion, and Torture
acalla7's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-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
4.0
Wow... I think this will be burned into my memory now. I wanted something short, shocking, and memorable after the last book I read which was a plain garden variety thriller. Felt myself going into a reading slump so I was trying to find something different.... really hit the nail on the head with that one. Do I find my next read to cleanse my palette after this horrific monstrosity or take a break from reading? What would even be a suitable book to read after this one???
_emma_onereadatatime's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
LOVED IT!
bunnyprincess's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Not only disgusting but actually boring and lazily written
2busyreading's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Abortion, Blood, Drug use, and Rape
Moderate: Vomit and Death of parent
jkbjem's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The writing itself was decent, the build-up was good, I just found it to be gross and didn't enjoy it as much as other books I've read. Great for shock value.
Content Warnings
Minor: Excrement, Vomit, Death of parent, Death, Addiction, Abortion, Gore, Infertility, Drug use, and Rape
kredefer's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Gore, Sexual content, Abortion, and Sexual assault
ma1vina's review against another edition
1.0
zero stars honestly cause besides the bad attempt at splatterpunk this was just not it on so
many levels
many levels