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liltakeawaygirl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Blood, Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Body horror, Infidelity, Sexual content, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Abandonment
e_r_q's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Obviously, it seems unfair to judge this book entirely in relation to its magnificent 2023 film adaptation, All of Us Strangers, by the insanely talented writer/director Andrew Haigh, so first I will review it independently from its adaptation.
Strangers has a great concept, and I really love the surreal Japanese folkloric approach to ghosts. Unfortunately, not much else really impressed me. This could be down to a bad translation, but I found the writing style to be pretty dull. Furthermore, the protagonist is rather arrogant and very difficult to engage with, and his character development honestly came out of nowhere. It does derive some compelling emotion from its ghostly premise, but it never goes deep enough. Also, the plot-twist, although pretty spooky, was very messy and felt like it undercut the emotion of the story.
The added queerness of Haigh's adaptation brings a great deal more profundity to the narrative. It deepens the emotion of almost every aspect of the narrative, particularly the exploration of grief and loneliness, as well as Adam's relationships with his parents and Harry. Changing the protagonist from a jaded straight divorcee to a lonely awkward queer man, somehow magnificently enhances the story. Haigh also brings a great deal more mystery, subtlety, nuance and ambiguity to the narrative, and creates a gut-punch of an ending, that not only doesn't undercut the meaning of the film, but also leaves you with a lot more to ruminate on.
Strangers is a good foundation, and led the way to one of those rare occasions when an adaptation is actually better than the book.
Strangers has a great concept, and I really love the surreal Japanese folkloric approach to ghosts. Unfortunately, not much else really impressed me. This could be down to a bad translation, but I found the writing style to be pretty dull. Furthermore, the protagonist is rather arrogant and very difficult to engage with, and his character development honestly came out of nowhere. It does derive some compelling emotion from its ghostly premise, but it never goes deep enough. Also, the plot-twist, although pretty spooky, was very messy and felt like it undercut the emotion of the story.
The added queerness of Haigh's adaptation brings a great deal more profundity to the narrative. It deepens the emotion of almost every aspect of the narrative, particularly the exploration of grief and loneliness, as well as Adam's relationships with his parents and Harry. Changing the protagonist from a jaded straight divorcee to a lonely awkward queer man, somehow magnificently enhances the story. Haigh also brings a great deal more mystery, subtlety, nuance and ambiguity to the narrative, and creates a gut-punch of an ending, that not only doesn't undercut the meaning of the film, but also leaves you with a lot more to ruminate on.
Strangers is a good foundation, and led the way to one of those rare occasions when an adaptation is actually better than the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Suicide
Minor: Blood and Body horror
whatthekatdraggedin's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Suicide
Minor: Sexual content, Blood, and Body horror
dragonna's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Suicide, Sexual content, and Death of parent
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