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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
Such great narration. It really brought the story to life. I could feel the madness creeping in. Its set over a period of years but it never feels tedious. I want to say it's an "easy read" but the subject matter gets pretty grim.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I really enjoyed reading the book and finished it in 2 days. It went surprisingly fast, but I think the book was hyped up a bit too much for me. It has a lot of dark content, but I didn't feel the intense emotional reaction I was expecting. It felt hopeless and hopeful at times, but I think if the ending had been a little more impactful, I would've rated it 5/5. I really enjoyed the last few chapters, but it felt like it needed an extra sentence or two to really wrap up the feeling. Anyway, this is me just nitpicking a little. I enjoyed the book and in the future, I think I will read it again so I can really soak it in and find more meaning.
On a positive note, I love the writing itself. The reflections are reflections about his past, but a lot of them tell what's happening in the present if you pay attention. I'll be paying a lot more attention when I reread it. I loved the symbolism throughout the book.
On a positive note, I love the writing itself. The reflections are reflections about his past, but a lot of them tell what's happening in the present if you pay attention. I'll be paying a lot more attention when I reread it. I loved the symbolism throughout the book.
Truly one of the biggest gut-punches I've ever read... Every page is just a back-and-forth with reality and dream, and that realization of the horrors of war. This is an absolute masterpiece on every level, but it is so anxiety-inducing and horrifying that this may be the first and last time that I ever read it.
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wow this book is so incredibly sad. There were so many moments that hit me so hard because of how depressing they were, and yet this book also inspired me to appreciate the small and most basic things that make life worth living. Amazing writing, you could sense every emotion Johnny was experiencing through the stream-of-consciousness writing style. I reflected a lot on what it means to really live, and unfortunately, this anti-war book remains ever relevant nearly 100 years after it was first written. A must-read for everyone.
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I really dislike books that make me want to kill myself.