Reviews with content warning for Fatphobia - Paradais

Reviews tagging 'Fatphobia'

Paradais by Fernanda Melchor

56 reviews

sarajjunu's review against another edition

dark medium-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

2.0

writing is good but it’s so boring!!! the plot is okay? i get the shock value aspects in the end but it’s just so annoying and since the protagonist had ZERO depth to him there was really nothing to focus on when reading? it was all “fatboy this fatboy that my annoying mom my stupid cousin” and then they do something horrible in the end and it’s like… okay? i feel like this entire book could’ve been 30 pages because i would’ve loved to read about the narrator AFTER the event because he finally seemed to be developing but nooo

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ceco_'s review against another edition

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dark tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Fernanda Melchor's best on display. Her stream of consciousness writing style propels you though the narrative at a dizzying, breakneck pace only to come out the other side surprised at how much character work, themes and perspectives you've absorbed along the way.

Paradais holds up a mirror to the class divide, misogyny and gang violence playing out in Mexico. It's unflinching in the cruelty it portrays, yet honest. Because as twisted as these characters are, as foul and sickening their actions, there's no doubt in your mind that they do exist somewhere out there, maybe not in this exact configuration, not in this exact crime, but an echo all the same.

I don't recommend this book if you have a weak stomach. Melchor pulls no punches in the way these characters interact with each other and the world. I'm talking fatphobic, homophic and misogynistic slurs + tropes littering almost every page. Read with caution. It will disgust you.

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veara_'s review against another edition

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dark reflective tense fast-paced

Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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connieevans's review against another edition

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challenging dark medium-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

2.0

This was just too brutal and too much for me. I can appreciate what (I think) Melchor is trying to do - highlight how poverty/wealth can warp an individuals grasp on life and what is worth doing and what they’re entitled to do - however I really struggled to see past the disgustingness of this novel and I just spent the whole time feeling sick and wanting it to end.

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