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bananabreanna's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
Brilliantly disturbing. The visceral reactions I experienced while reading almost made me feel as though I were living the end of the book myself. Truly a work of art.
dawn1117's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
glossyjul's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Initially I thought this would just be a worse American copy of Trainspotting but this absolutely destroyed me… especially Sara’s parts… and the way this tale unfolded where with every little tell, you could anticipate how it would come to rot into something sinister and despairing within the next few pages. Beautifully written, and probably the most terrifying portrayal of the electric shock therapy treatment I’ve read since Bell Jar- makes me never want to dream again.
losthighway's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lucazani11's review against another edition
4.0
The book is a dark and intense portrayal of addiction and its effects on individuals and their relationships. It follows the downward spirals of four characters - Harry Goldfarb, his girlfriend Marion, his mother Sara, and his best friend Tyrone - as they struggle with drug addiction and various forms of escapism. Through vivid and often disturbing language, the book portrays the destructive consequences of addiction and the devastating impact it can have on one's life. The story is a powerful commentary on the dangers of drugs and the hopelessness that often accompanies addiction.
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"Requiem for a Dream" is a novel written by Hubert Selby Jr., first published in 1978. The novel tells the story of four characters and their respective addictions to drugs, and the devastating consequences that result from their attempts to fulfill their desires.
One of the strengths of the novel is its vivid and intense portrayal of addiction. Selby's writing style is raw and unflinching, and he does not shy away from the physical and emotional toll that addiction takes on the characters. The novel is a powerful and disturbing depiction of the cycle of addiction, from the initial rush of pleasure to the desperation and despair that follows.
Another strength of the novel is its use of multiple narrators. The novel is divided into four sections, each narrated by one of the main characters. This allows Selby to explore the characters' inner thoughts and motivations in depth, and to show how their individual experiences of addiction intersect and influence each other. The use of multiple narrators also creates a sense of fragmentation and disorientation that mirrors the characters' own experiences.
Selby's writing style is distinctive and unconventional, using non-standard grammar and sentence structures to create a sense of urgency and immediacy. This can be challenging for some readers, but it also adds to the novel's impact, creating a sense of immersion and intensity that draws the reader into the characters' world.
In conclusion, "Requiem for a Dream" is a powerful and disturbing novel that offers a raw and unflinching portrayal of addiction. Selby's unconventional writing style and use of multiple narrators add to the novel's impact, creating a sense of urgency and intensity that draws the reader into the characters' experiences. While it is not an easy read, it is an important and insightful work that continues to resonate with readers today.
--------------------
"Requiem for a Dream" is a novel written by Hubert Selby Jr., first published in 1978. The novel tells the story of four characters and their respective addictions to drugs, and the devastating consequences that result from their attempts to fulfill their desires.
One of the strengths of the novel is its vivid and intense portrayal of addiction. Selby's writing style is raw and unflinching, and he does not shy away from the physical and emotional toll that addiction takes on the characters. The novel is a powerful and disturbing depiction of the cycle of addiction, from the initial rush of pleasure to the desperation and despair that follows.
Another strength of the novel is its use of multiple narrators. The novel is divided into four sections, each narrated by one of the main characters. This allows Selby to explore the characters' inner thoughts and motivations in depth, and to show how their individual experiences of addiction intersect and influence each other. The use of multiple narrators also creates a sense of fragmentation and disorientation that mirrors the characters' own experiences.
Selby's writing style is distinctive and unconventional, using non-standard grammar and sentence structures to create a sense of urgency and immediacy. This can be challenging for some readers, but it also adds to the novel's impact, creating a sense of immersion and intensity that draws the reader into the characters' world.
In conclusion, "Requiem for a Dream" is a powerful and disturbing novel that offers a raw and unflinching portrayal of addiction. Selby's unconventional writing style and use of multiple narrators add to the novel's impact, creating a sense of urgency and intensity that draws the reader into the characters' experiences. While it is not an easy read, it is an important and insightful work that continues to resonate with readers today.
halovian's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
calebchou's review against another edition
Took me a little while to get into this but once i got into it I was very into it. The whole thing is very harrowing but the last third is especially hard hitting. Sarah’s story is particularly tragic just because she never really fully understands what’s happening to her. Also her “treatment” is by far the most disturbing part of the book.
The dialogue isn’t split up at all which took some getting used to but selby gives each character such a unique voice that after awhile it gets pretty easy to tell who’s talking. His dialogue for black characters can seem very stereotypical at times but I think part of that is done to differentiate the voices of the characters.
The dialogue isn’t split up at all which took some getting used to but selby gives each character such a unique voice that after awhile it gets pretty easy to tell who’s talking. His dialogue for black characters can seem very stereotypical at times but I think part of that is done to differentiate the voices of the characters.
mrears0_0's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-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