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Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Outing, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Racism, Sexism, Torture, Excrement, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Abortion, Pregnancy, Classism
Minor: Death of parent
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Rape, Violence, Murder
This is an incredible novel which is also excruciatingly hard to read.
It doesn't balance its tone as much as it flip-flops in the extremes. For 90% of the novel, you're reading about some really sad, depressing and disgusting events. This is wonderfully juxtaposed with the beauty of being on the point of view of someone who is so caring, and so capable of love. I lack the words to describe why this book works so well.
This book was so resonant and so emotionally draining that I could not bear read its last chapters. It got to a point around the middle chapters where I could not read 5 paragraphs and not tear up. I don't want to see what I already know to happen, due to the book's structure, happen, and that should be read as praise.
I have now finished the the book, and my same overall feelings still stand. This is an incredible piece of literature that crams every ounce of beauty and horror in each sentence.
Everyone that can get themselves through it should read it. I feel as though this is an important work of literature.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Rape
Moderate: Alcoholism, Homophobia, Violence
Minor: Drug abuse
Stuart’s writing style is one of the best I have ever encountered; it is accessible yet so evocative, dry, and absolutely heartbreaking all in one. It is truly a marvel, an author who really takes your breath away with their ability to string words and sentences together in a way that can crush you that no one else can.
Despite how gorgeous the prose is, this tale is so gritty it feels like sandpaper to the brain. Every chapter in this book holds such pain and trauma that I can’t recommend it to everyone, especially those who may have navigated topics that are explored in this book like abuse, sexual assault, and alcohol addiction.
However, for those who feel able and willing to read this book, you truly won’t regret it - even if the pain and emotional damage more of reading it may never leave you. It is a harrowing depiction of poverty, social isolation, and cycles of family abuse that stings but in a necessary way. In short, it is a story that needs to be heard and listened to. If you do choose to take that advice literally and access the audio version, you won’t be disappointed; if anything, the narrator’s skill adds to this book and makes it truly unforgettable.
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Abortion, Murder, Alcohol
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Police brutality, Pregnancy
Minor: Child death, Domestic abuse, Vomit, Death of parent, Outing, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
This book man. Why did I read it? It made you feel, that’s for sure. I think what makes me rate this well despite the excess of trauma is that well
A.) the trauma was not the whole core of the book that the author seemed to do for little reason but to torture the character(s) (yes, I’m looking at you, A Little Life) and
B.) the complex reality of hate and love is depicted so well for every type of relationship (parental, sibling, friend, lover) that you can begin to understand it by the end.
You start the story with questions of why the hell do these characters stay? Why do they love each other despite being forced to live in their conditions, or being treated as they are? Mungo’s siblings and neighbors even beg answers to these questions. But you end, especially the very end, you and Mungo both come to see the other’s side.
I didn’t think I’d ever see Mungo’s side; I began to worry he’d never see “reason” either. And for that, I rate this highly.
Do I recommend this book? Absolutely not lol. I don’t personally believe reading graphic descriptions of certain content is worth reading a story.
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Kidnapping, Abandonment
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Police brutality, Death of parent, Outing, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Outing, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Rape, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy