Reviews

The Ecstatic by Victor LaValle

crhogan's review

challenging dark medium-paced

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

3.0

franklyfrank's review

dark funny reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

arcticskua's review

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.75

manrod809's review

funny slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.0

aliterarynightmare's review

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.5

dominiquejl's review

3.0

Wanted to like this so much more, because I've enjoyed his writing elsewhere. The writing was oh-so-beautiful, but too much of the story flew over my head. Maybe I wasn't smart enough to keep pace. I read a review somewhere that said that LaValle reads best in short story form, and I think I'd agree. I'm excited to pick up Slapboxing with Jesus and see how I do with that; I'm not giving up on this author just yet, his prose is exquisite.

michaellouisdixon's review

2.0

This is the first book by Victor LaValle that I've ever read.
LaValle is an excellent writer, but I just couldn't get "hooked" by this story.
I found some parts of this novel interesting and entertaining, but then I'd feel like the story kind of just dragged along aimlessly.

Since LaValle has come so highly recommended, and by people who've never steered me wrong yet, I will just chalk this up to the problem being me and this particular narrative. I will most definitely be reading other work from Victor LaValle.

limina's review

I just got an icky feeling reading this. There was a lot of casual misogyny right off the bat and I just didn't think I could get past it. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny, Fatphobia, Mental illness, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

ireadslow's review

dark emotional funny reflective tense fast-paced

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

3.75

kather21's review

3.0

The strange world of the broken human, both funny and confusing.