Reviews with content warning for Gaslighting - Several People Are Typing

Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke

10 reviews

readingpicnic's review

5.0

This was so fun and fast paced. I burst out laughing so many times reading this, and it genuinely felt like reading slack conversations, as someone who has witnessed many slack convos and arguments from housemates in a cooperative living house.

I will say that I finished the book still confused about what was going on with Lydia and whether she existed, as well as how a spreadsheet uploaded Gerald into Slack in the first place? I don’t know if I missed something or if it just wasn’t explained. Not too pressing though.

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abookwormspov's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny medium-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? No

5.0

This is so weird. I love weird.

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bek_p87's review

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challenging funny mysterious fast-paced

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

4.25

This was absolutely bonkers, but I loved it. Gerald somehow gets trapped in his company's Slack channel - his consciousness free to roam inside the app - and, with the help of some colleagues, has to try to find his way out. The premise is obviously absurd, but it made me think about the self, consciousness, and mind vs body. Beyond that, it's very funny and clever.

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wickedgrumpy's review

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dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

2.5

I've read my share of epistolary style writings and this was definitely different from others. I think the main reason I wasn't as keen on it was the use of emojis and gifs, but like the text representation rather than the actual thing. If there was a way for the ebook to have the actual visual component represented exactly as intended then I think it would have been an improved experience.

It was a weird one for sure.

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trickphoenix's review

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funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

3.5 stars - a fun, quick read comprised of absurd and surreal tales from a small office, told entirely through their slack messages. This came recommended back in the trans rights readathon in March, and the author Calvin Kasulke identifies himself as a "writer, podcast producer, and transsexual menace" on his website (god-tier bio tbh).

The book is fun and silly and in that peculiar way of satire sometimes portrays office life in a way that is both so ridiculous and yet so relatable at the same time. It's got QUEER ROMANCE, it's got STRAIGHT ROMANCE, it's got EXISTENTIAL CRISES, it's got ROGUE BOTS

I do wish a few more mysteries got wrapped up by the end - I was left with a few questions and unanswered mysteries that made the ending unsatisfying. But the process of reading it was satisfying enough to partly make up for it.

Main content warnings: a few dogs were harmed in the making of this narrative. There is a mention of a sex scene that involves somewhat dubious consent. Also some coworkers hook up, which is a non-standard warning, but ehh that might be too cringey an idea for some folks.

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ceilidhwilliams's review

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funny lighthearted mysterious fast-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? It's complicated

4.5

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meadow_witching's review

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dark funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.5

For fans of the Magnus Archives episode "Binary". Well-paced and written entirely through Slack messages made this a really quick read. It somehow manages to be both lighthearted and horrifying all at once. I do wish there had been a real wrap-up to the Lydia plotline, though. Funny enough to be able to read and scary enough to make sure you don't spend too much time in your work messages.

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morganperks's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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jaimee_reads's review

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adventurous challenging funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.25

Hello weird little book, you were great! Read in an afternoon off from work, there's a lot going on here, not all of which I'm 100% sure I get, but I laughed a lot and enjoyed myself. Ending seemed a bit abrupt. :dusty-stick: :eyes:

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virgoblin's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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