Reviews with content warning for Death - Lapvona

Reviews tagging 'Death'

Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh

334 reviews

cpratreads's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

2.5

This book was fine. I struggle to explain exactly how I feel about it. I find Moshfegh's writing to be very easy to read, and I certainly read this book quickly. I did want to know where the story would go. But I didn't enjoy the story.

I think part of that is that I had my own idea of what it was going to be, and boy was I wrong. But also, it just felt mean?

I know it's "historical" fiction but it's also fantasy, and Lapvona isn't a real place, so you can really make the rules whatever you want.

the way EVERYONE treated Marek was so mean and dehumanizing. If you're making up the rules of the land, you don't need every single person to comment on how "monstrous" and "disgusting" he is every chance you get. On top of that there was a very unneccesary rape scene that was very hard to get through.

Overall, I don't want to read it again, and I don't think I would even recommend it to anyone honestly.

2.5

Content Warnings

liv_1810's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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

4.5

This book was a whole rollercoaster, and there were times I had to put it down to digest what I’d just read. But I loved how provocative it was and how it really made me sit and think deeply about what I was reading. The morally grey (if not completely immoral) characters were written so well and so deeply that it was hauntingly perfect. Definitely not for the faint-hearted but beautifully done.

Content Warnings

amelieedenn's review against another edition

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challenging dark medium-paced

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

3.5

reading this was kind of like witnessing a car crash - awful but I also couldn’t look away

Content Warnings

laideyofthelake's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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

5.0

Visceral and grotesque, this book is a poignant and largely grim reflection on power, belief, and the dark sides of love. I particularly loved the allegorical/satirical tone and magic realism elements within a medievalist setting. More contemporary fiction using medieval aesthetics please!!

Content Warnings