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goobearmilltato's review against another edition
5.0
I started reading this book a couple years ago, got 80 some pages, and stopped. It wasn't sucking me in, and I didn't think I liked it very much. I picked it up again recently, reread those 80 pages and then another 50, and stopped again. Finally I picked it back up, determined to finish it, and plowed through the rest of it in no time flat.
This book is a bit of a tough read, though I didn't really understand that at first. I mistook mystery for a writing style that I simply wasn't enjoying, but as I pressed on and started putting the pieces together it finally clicked.
It's a confusing read at first, but by the end I realized how wonderfully written it was. The story wouldn't have been so fascinating if it had been told in a straightforward manner. By putting us through the same confused nature of discovery as the protagonist, it rewards the reader far more.
This book is a bit of a tough read, though I didn't really understand that at first. I mistook mystery for a writing style that I simply wasn't enjoying, but as I pressed on and started putting the pieces together it finally clicked.
It's a confusing read at first, but by the end I realized how wonderfully written it was. The story wouldn't have been so fascinating if it had been told in a straightforward manner. By putting us through the same confused nature of discovery as the protagonist, it rewards the reader far more.
fromtheyellowchair's review against another edition
5.0
This book absolutely blew my mind. I'd already read The Contortionists Handbook so I was familiar with Clevenger's style but I still was still really surprised by this book. The plot itself is interesting but the language is what hooked me- its somehow beautiful and gritty at the same time. The first and last lines have really stuck with me.
I did have some trouble remembering who was who within the story, but I guess that only makes sense since its told from the point of an amnesiac.
I did have some trouble remembering who was who within the story, but I guess that only makes sense since its told from the point of an amnesiac.
ivandrueda's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
helpfulsnowman's review against another edition
5.0
I bumped this one up a star on a second reading to prepare my (sad, weak, and pathetic) body for Mother Howl!
I think I know why this wasn't a full 5 stars for me the first time around: there's an extended portion where it's difficult to parse exactly what's going on, but I think if you hang with it and then pay attention at the end, things clear up nicely, and it justifies the journey.
I'm practically allergic to this kind of thing in books, but Clevenger is now on the list of authors who get a full pass from me. This is a legitimate, laminated pass that I will send him in the mail, if he'd like.
The only other thing I have to say about this is that Craig Clevenger has my favorite Goodreads bio of all time:
"Author of books frequently borrowed but seldom returned."
I think I know why this wasn't a full 5 stars for me the first time around: there's an extended portion where it's difficult to parse exactly what's going on, but I think if you hang with it and then pay attention at the end, things clear up nicely, and it justifies the journey.
I'm practically allergic to this kind of thing in books, but Clevenger is now on the list of authors who get a full pass from me. This is a legitimate, laminated pass that I will send him in the mail, if he'd like.
The only other thing I have to say about this is that Craig Clevenger has my favorite Goodreads bio of all time:
"Author of books frequently borrowed but seldom returned."
kuroneko86's review against another edition
4.0
Un po' come Memento ma sotto acidi.
Mi è piaciuto un sacco😍
Mi è piaciuto un sacco😍
hanne842's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Drug abuse
meet_me_in_cognito's review against another edition
3.0
Like Palahniuk meets Phillip K. Dick. Mixed feelings.
turtlelion's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Very weird and cool. At some points confusing but nothing that can’t be cleared up by a second reading of the passage. I will be thinking about the underground drug world a lot more because of it.
kpkulski's review against another edition
5.0
Sometimes I read a book and it's the story that stands out, or even the characters, but in Dermaphoria it is the author who stands out and Clevenger is right there on every page. His observations are so damn sharp. I never wanted to read quickly over a sentence in case I missed a brilliant tidbit. For me, this book isn't just about the character, or about what is or is not real, it was about how we all formulate our ideas of reality and then act accordingly and how much power the people around us have in influencing that idea of reality.
This is a gritty and personally enriching work that doesn't pull any punches.
This is a gritty and personally enriching work that doesn't pull any punches.
mfichtel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
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
4.0