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j_j_max's review against another edition
3.0
Totally messed up book, and I definitely should not have read this at this current point in time. However, I think the book had good commentary on (quite literally) disaster porn, the extents of sexuality and fetish, as well as idolization. I just gave it three stars because the beginning felt a bit repetitive, and the fact that I have no idea how anyone can come up with such twisted things to write about, publish, and be content with that work.
xwritingstoriesx's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Pedophilia, Blood, Drug abuse, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Violence, Domestic abuse, Rape, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and Trafficking
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Excrement
sophiadorothyy's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
minyardyke's review against another edition
3.0
do you ever fantasize about getting murdered while having sex? me neither, bro, that just ain't my thing. anyways, gotta admit I've been lurking on the dennis cooper tag on tumblr for almost a year, without reading anything from him. why? I don't know. I just knew that it would have been a really "hard and weird" read. So I've put it off for awhile. Last night I decided I was in the mood for it and I decided to just, read it. The summary described it exactly as something that I wanted to read. So, I did. I guess it wasn't what I was looking for, I give it three stars cause it's more like 2.5 and I loved the cover, I guess it has the coolest cover I have ever seen so yeah, and the ending was cool as fuck, I guess it was an interesting twist and it left me wondering if there was anything real at all. however, I decide to believe the last email, just cause the tortures were too horrible. the thing is, the story is disgusting, that's true, but it's disgusting cause it's dehumanizing . the two guys, B and T are both victims. they are drug addicts, mentally ill, traumatized kids. they are exploited by perverts who get off torturing and abusing teens who should receive care and help.
I know, people might say that it's fictional, and I shouldn't feel as disgusted as I do, but I can't help it, cause despite what they tell you the sex industry is like that, and that's why no sex work can be ethical, especially when it comes to people who have unmedicated mental illnesses. I could go full rant on this but I won't. I gave it three stars also because it did what I was looking for, it disgusted me. so, goal reached. it's not a book for anyone, so read at your own risk. it's graphic, violent and gory. probably would have liked it more when I was a teen. teen me was surviving on TC and horror movies.
I know, people might say that it's fictional, and I shouldn't feel as disgusted as I do, but I can't help it, cause despite what they tell you the sex industry is like that, and that's why no sex work can be ethical, especially when it comes to people who have unmedicated mental illnesses. I could go full rant on this but I won't. I gave it three stars also because it did what I was looking for, it disgusted me. so, goal reached. it's not a book for anyone, so read at your own risk. it's graphic, violent and gory. probably would have liked it more when I was a teen. teen me was surviving on TC and horror movies.
12546darcy7890's review against another edition
5.0
very fucked up and made me feel very queasy and anxious, definitely not for everyone. but very entertaining and well written and kinda funny in a very dark way, reminded me a lot of the docuseries don't fuck with cats.
alexandra_ninelives's review against another edition
3.0
This was probably the biggest mindfuck of a book I’ve ever read.
jemmers's review against another edition
Too many characters and a convoluted storyline. I thought it was cool at first trying to piece this, albeit fucked up, mystery together from escort reviews and discussion board posts. But there are WAY too many characters to keep track of. My brain felt like that Pepe Silvia meme. The mental work to figure out who snuffed who, if any snuffing actually occurred at all, is not worth it, imo. Like I just don’t care enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Pedophilia, Stalking, Torture, Violence, Blood, Gore, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Alcohol, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexual content, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Kidnapping, Terminal illness, Trafficking, Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Sexual violence, Mental illness, and Pregnancy
sanem's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5