Reviews

Barn 8 by Deb Olin Unferth

Only show reviews with written explanations

I don’t know what I think about this. I think I enjoyed reading it, I think it made me feel uncomfortable, I don’t think it was because of the challenge made by the subject matter, I think it was quite disjointed, I probably wouldn’t recommend it.

I don’t know. It just didn’t sit quite right. I think I need to think on it more.

njenseneku's review

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adventurous funny informative fast-paced

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

4.0

Barn 8 is laugh out loud funny while also tackling some of life’s hardest topics. It is equal parts absurd heist, activist pamphlet, and road map for the broken-spirited. Sometimes life stomps on you and the only way to get up off the mat is to become truly unhinged.

rachelwaldenfinn's review

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slow-paced

2.0

hai_baird's review

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

I have a newfound appreciation for the little ladies occupying this book, and a hatred for hen farms. Why am I crying over a book about a chicken heist? If you ever want to eat eggs without a guilty conscience, don’t read this. I want to join an animal rights group.

ciarafrances's review

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dark funny inspiring reflective medium-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? It's complicated

3.75

lesserspottedpard's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-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

5.0

eferguson's review

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4.0

I have been going back and forth about how to rate this book. I think I'm landing around a 3.5-4 stars. This was an interesting read, and the first 25% of the novel was written beautifully. As soon as the book expanded beyond Janey (narration by chickens?!) I was more lost. There were lines that took my breath away. I was madly confused by the motivations of some of the characters. I did not like how absurdly the perspective and timeline flipped (usually I love this, but here it felt frivolous). I finished and wondered what the point was. But also, I can't ignore the fact that I was madly intrigued by this book, something kept me turning the pages madly even if the plot itself was mad. Maybe there was a larger point I missed here, maybe I am not smart enough to understand larger meaning in this novel, but I appreciated the madness.

Lines I highlighted:
"Janey was most interest in when the two Janeys might intersect. It was a game she played. For example, what if the old Janey and the new would have said the same word at the same time? What if both Janeys said, or would have said, the word hey at the same moment, 2:04pm CST/3:04pm EST?"
"Which of these chickens do humans most resemble: the ones roaming in ovals...Or the genetically modified monsters--wobbling inside our boxes, clutching our pieces of plastic and metal, mincing and crimping in our shoes, snapping at each other in tight spaces, poking our various machines that swivel or light up or open in simulation of activity, 'amusement,' 'exercise', 'work', 'love'?"
"We always think it's over for us--and it is over--then it starts again. Reincarnation in this lifetime."