Reviews with content warning for Animal cruelty - Death in Her Hands

Reading this book felt like riding on a roller coaster that wasn’t as thrilling as the goers had initially hoped for. The writing felt repetitive and unnecessarily lengthy. There were moments of self-reflection but I expected something more tangible. In addition, I don't feel that the story had enough in itself to keep me engaged and wanting to turn the next page.

I felt cheated of a plot by the time I finished reading the book.

Content Warnings

margaret721's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious reflective 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? No

1.5

Content Warnings

amandinesophie's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious slow-paced

Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Content Warnings

jenail's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

Content Warnings

mariaeileen's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

The book is quite slow paced to begin with, the story doesn’t really pick up till the third chapter and I’m not quite a fan of the stream of conscience style of writing used in the book which is why this book has a lower rating.

Otherwise I really like the way Otessa Moshfegh tackles certain themes in the book, including the death of the protagonists partner.

Content Warnings

a11a's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

3.75

Content Warnings

fionag's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark reflective 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

Absolutely not for me. This was my first Moshfegh but I wish I’d started with Rest&Relaxation instead. Vesta went beyond being an unreliable and unlikeable narrator and went into confusing and flat- I don’t think I even believed she was supposed to be an old woman. Really don’t know if this was supposed to be a meditation on grief and autonomy or what but I didn’t feel it had it’s intended impact. The writing was dark but was lost for me due to the meandering quality. Also the fatphobia had no part in the story at all and just seemed like Moshfegh was using it to vent.

Content Warnings

martinacrescioli7's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark 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? It's complicated

2.0

Content Warnings

More...