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irissunshine's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Fatphobia
alexad1498's review against another edition
I thought the premise was interesting but the book itself did not draw me in.
I did not find the main character likeable
Also the writing was quoted fatphobic which made it hard to listen to
I did not find the main character likeable
Also the writing was quoted fatphobic which made it hard to listen to
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
johannanina's review against another edition
I got through half of the book, but the main character war absolutely insufferable. I was annoyed with him most of the time.
Plus, I couldn't help but to roll my eyes every time the only fat character was mentioned. I understand that writing a fatphobic character isn't the same thing as supporting fatphobia, but making the only fat character a slimy, greasy, disgusting man, seems purposeful. I couldn't stand the over-the-top descriptions used for that character. Unless there is some great reveal in the second half concerning this, he just seems like a tired stereotype.
Plus, I couldn't help but to roll my eyes every time the only fat character was mentioned. I understand that writing a fatphobic character isn't the same thing as supporting fatphobia, but making the only fat character a slimy, greasy, disgusting man, seems purposeful. I couldn't stand the over-the-top descriptions used for that character. Unless there is some great reveal in the second half concerning this, he just seems like a tired stereotype.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Sexual assault
wayfaera's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Want to contemplate what is and isn't fundamental about human nature?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
poisoned_icecream's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Fatphobia, Murder, and Gun violence
Minor: Suicide
lefthandlou's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
The book is overwrought. You can hear the machinery behind the plot, the gears and cogs, ticking loudly as they jolt the action and characters along. It’s contrived, pompous, and overlong. It’s clear Turton is deeply enamored of his own prose, a style which only gets in the way of his too-complicated storyline. He doesn’t have a firm handle on his own plot. Maybe if this book were half as long it could have been okay, but as it is, it is an overindulgent, convoluted, and boring mess. None of the characters are likable, and the entire section dedicated to fatphobia was cruel, unnecessary, and awful. I suspect Turton is not a very nice person, a fact which shows through in this book. I ended up just skimming the last 2/3 just to get it over with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Minor: Physical abuse and Rape
jessiereads98's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Come for the cool concept. Leave because of the shoddy execution, fatphobia, half-baked commentary on the carceral system, and war criminal apologism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Child death and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood, Classism, Sexual assault, Animal death, Suicide, Gun violence, and Rape
ect625's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Weird. Weird, weird, weird.
The concept of the plot is interesting but the execution was really confusing. It would have been better for me if the narrator explained what was going on instead of me stumbling along. There was also an unnecessary plot twist that changed the perspective on everything. If the same murder mystery story was told in a more traditional way, then I probably would have enjoyed it more. Can't wait to talk about it in my book club!
The concept of the plot is interesting but the execution was really confusing. It would have been better for me if the narrator explained what was going on instead of me stumbling along. There was also an unnecessary plot twist that changed the perspective on everything. If the same murder mystery story was told in a more traditional way, then I probably would have enjoyed it more. Can't wait to talk about it in my book club!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Child death
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Rape, Addiction, and Homophobia