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lovegriefandgender's review
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Very interesting. I was held back from loving it because the character of Hairy Dolly (an older, blatantly queer creature referred to predominantly as "it" or Bryan, and with a "disgusting peely penis") is sexually predatory, and this made me quite uncomfortable. The final section of the book was really captivating but it was missing something overall, in spite of the rich prose.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Animal death, and Rape
Moderate: Homophobia
connorgirvan's review
2.0
2.5 / 5 stars
Bought this when I was in Norfolk for a wedding and wanted a book set in Norfolk. Didn't really look inside the book but liked the cover. The writing style was just not for me, eventually became accustomed to it and it read easier but quite hard to read at first.
Enjoyed the story somewhat but just sadly was not for me.
Bought this when I was in Norfolk for a wedding and wanted a book set in Norfolk. Didn't really look inside the book but liked the cover. The writing style was just not for me, eventually became accustomed to it and it read easier but quite hard to read at first.
Enjoyed the story somewhat but just sadly was not for me.
francitara's review
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jessicah95's review
3.0
A commune, rural England, a young girl coming of age... You know those books where the premise sounds *literally* perfect for you, and then the execution just doesn’t really do it for you? This is one of those books for me.
There was a point early on where I wasn’t even sure I wanted to carry on, but I’m glad I finished it. I did love the story, but I just didn’t gel with the way it was told.
This is definitely written in a style that takes a while to get used to. Some will love it straight away, and others will feel like they are wading through black treacle in trying to read it.
It’s written in second person, but in a preteen's stream of consciousness style. Reminded me very much of both ‘A Girl is a Half Formed Thing’ and ‘Peach’ in style, but was harder to consume as this novel is twice the length. By the end I felt I had a good grasp of the characters, but I can’t say I ever felt them fully formed and couldn’t truly picture this commune in my mind until the last quarter of the novel.
Stephen Fry pegs it as ‘equal parts hilarious and terrifying’ and I find I quite agree with this assessment. Trigger warnings for foul language, sexual and emotional abuse, and just generally a pretty toxic environment to raise children in. The humour comes from just how very deluded and hopeless these people are, despite the simplest and possibly purest of intentions. There’s also some haphazardly noted recipes jotted throughout giving it a little ‘Like Water for Chocolate’ vibe which, ironically, are some of the easiest parts to follow.
Essentially, Devoured is a compellingly experimental novel about the minefield that is youth, the conflicts of community and ultimately the need for belonging. The bones of this story will appeal to many, but beware that the muddied writing style may make for a frustrating read.
There was a point early on where I wasn’t even sure I wanted to carry on, but I’m glad I finished it. I did love the story, but I just didn’t gel with the way it was told.
This is definitely written in a style that takes a while to get used to. Some will love it straight away, and others will feel like they are wading through black treacle in trying to read it.
It’s written in second person, but in a preteen's stream of consciousness style. Reminded me very much of both ‘A Girl is a Half Formed Thing’ and ‘Peach’ in style, but was harder to consume as this novel is twice the length. By the end I felt I had a good grasp of the characters, but I can’t say I ever felt them fully formed and couldn’t truly picture this commune in my mind until the last quarter of the novel.
Stephen Fry pegs it as ‘equal parts hilarious and terrifying’ and I find I quite agree with this assessment. Trigger warnings for foul language, sexual and emotional abuse, and just generally a pretty toxic environment to raise children in. The humour comes from just how very deluded and hopeless these people are, despite the simplest and possibly purest of intentions. There’s also some haphazardly noted recipes jotted throughout giving it a little ‘Like Water for Chocolate’ vibe which, ironically, are some of the easiest parts to follow.
Essentially, Devoured is a compellingly experimental novel about the minefield that is youth, the conflicts of community and ultimately the need for belonging. The bones of this story will appeal to many, but beware that the muddied writing style may make for a frustrating read.
anxiousbookclub's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Animal death, and Child abuse
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Fatphobia, Animal cruelty, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
kate_in_a_book's review
4.0
This is a strange tale told in a strange way, and I loved it. Sometimes a bit of originality is just what I hanker for.
It’s the tale of a commune in 1970s Norfolk. Beth owns a big farmhouse, which she has opened up to a raggedy crew of hippies from around the UK and the US. She and her partner are raising their two daughters in true New Age style: no school, treated like adults when it comes to chores and conversation topics, encouraged to be artistic in every way.
The novel is told from the perspective of the older daughter, but it is not narrated by her. The narration is in the 2nd person, addressing the older daughter. It’s also told in mostly incomplete sentences, a sort of stream of consciousness. It’s never quite clear if this is meant to be the 12-year-old girl addressing herself from the future or an unusual take on the omniscient narrator.
That description risks making the book sound a little tough to read, and it’s not at all. It was a delight reading this. I particularly love the recipes peppered through the narrative, mostly adaptations of Elizabeth David, perfectly reflecting Beth’s middle-class status while she and her friends play-act at being poor artists who scrimp and save.
Read my full review: http://www.noseinabook.co.uk/2018/05/20/dream-catchers-that-have-been-there-so-long-their-tinkles-all-tinked-out/
It’s the tale of a commune in 1970s Norfolk. Beth owns a big farmhouse, which she has opened up to a raggedy crew of hippies from around the UK and the US. She and her partner are raising their two daughters in true New Age style: no school, treated like adults when it comes to chores and conversation topics, encouraged to be artistic in every way.
The novel is told from the perspective of the older daughter, but it is not narrated by her. The narration is in the 2nd person, addressing the older daughter. It’s also told in mostly incomplete sentences, a sort of stream of consciousness. It’s never quite clear if this is meant to be the 12-year-old girl addressing herself from the future or an unusual take on the omniscient narrator.
That description risks making the book sound a little tough to read, and it’s not at all. It was a delight reading this. I particularly love the recipes peppered through the narrative, mostly adaptations of Elizabeth David, perfectly reflecting Beth’s middle-class status while she and her friends play-act at being poor artists who scrimp and save.
Read my full review: http://www.noseinabook.co.uk/2018/05/20/dream-catchers-that-have-been-there-so-long-their-tinkles-all-tinked-out/
emilychambers's review
4.0
Equal parts nostaglic and frightening, I enjoyed the slow paced monotony of the everyday life and resonated with the setting as it was set in my area.
barrynorton's review
5.0
I struggled a little bit to start with - the narration being stream of consciousness from a pubescent girl, which is a jarringly unusual voice (being way more convincing than the superficial attempts in YA pulp) - but am very glad I persevered and attuned to this.
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