Scan barcode
alexandrabelze's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
look, i love otessa moshfegh’s writing style, but i can’t looks past the recurrent use of slurs throughout the book. it would be different if they only appeared every once in a while, but there were times when there were 3+ slurs on a single page. and i didn’t fuck with that. i understand what she was trying to pull off with the narrator, but it was too extreme. i love a good unlikeable or unreliable narrator—if done right. mcglue was not done right. it could’ve been done right if it had been written as “gay pirates with internalized homophobia learn to love each other and themselves.” sadly, i would instead describe this as “the narrator drops the f slur and racist comments every ten sentences while pining for another man.” disappointment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Cursing, Racism, Racial slurs, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Vomit, Blood, Confinement, Homophobia, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Body horror
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Violence
Minor: Sexual content, Child abuse, Sexual harassment, Child death, Rape, Murder, and Slavery
kazy's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
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
5.0
reading mcglue is like picking at a festering wound i didn’t realize i had but now that i’ve noticed it i can’t stop digging my finger into it again and again and again until eventually i’ve got this big ugly hole where chunks of flesh used to be but i’m still running up to people i know asking if they would please consider trying this new form of self-mutilation.
the VA for the audiobook is very good and really brings it to life.
the VA for the audiobook is very good and really brings it to life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Racism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
More...