Reviews

The Swallowed Man by Edward Carey

annietate's review

4.0

Edward Carey has the most delightful writing style! The Swallowed Man is a story about Gepetto, Pinocchio’s father. He’s living inside of a large fish - for most of the book and you’re reading his journal entries talking about living in the fish and also some reflections on life pre-fish. A wonderful take on loneliness and at times madness. Also in true Edward Carey fashion there are beautiful illustrations sprinkled throughout.

jwaddy17's review

tense fast-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

3.0

frankensteinscreature's review

dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

Carey’s gothic masterpiece. 

The Swallowed Man is an intricately crafted exploration of family, love, madness, art, death and remembrance. A retelling of Pinocchio that almost becomes a retelling of Frankenstein in its discussion of creation and monstrosity supplemented by perfectly uncanny artworks. 

This is truly one of the most beautiful things I have ever read, most definitely a new favourite. 

esterjean's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Dramatic. Boring. Rambling. 

amonkhouse's review

5.0

What a fucking bizarre premise, I loved every second of it

robotsocks's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

canadianbookworm's review against another edition

dark reflective slow-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? It's complicated

3.0

https://cdnbookworm.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-swallowed-man.html

colorfulleo92's review

2.0

We all heard the story of Pinocchio but this book follows Geppetto when he was eaten by a sea beast. And in in candle light he tries to write down his story before it's to late.
I really enjoyed the premise of this and was really hoping it would be a five stars. But I didn't enjoy the audiobook of this. Geppetto sounded so very whiny and I could barely stand listening to him complain. But maybe this book does better in the written format.

mcdevimm's review

2.0

I listened to this on audiobook and there was something lost in that format.

jennsutherland's review

4.0

A masterwork on the topic of loneliness, in the midst of a pandemic, where we’re all feeling a bit like we’re counting down the last candles of our sanity and trying to light our way out.