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anna_l's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Death
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Vomit
mikelchartier's review against another edition
4.0
Much more calm and invisive than I anticipated, but just as good as I hoped
joannaautumn's review against another edition
3.0
This is somewhat similar to the thriller novel I had read back in 2016/2017 by Carissi called The whisperer. And a theme of several episodes of Crime shows that I am addicted to like Criminal Minds.
An individual who has the power to guide people to their demise is a grey area, if they don't necessarily kill them with action can they be charged with killing them using their words?
The novel starts in a form that reminds me of indie movies with clear cuts and lifeless monochromatic images flashing while a deep voice narrates the ideas of the main character - TLDR: it's cinematic.
The unnamed main character is writing a Novel about some of his "work". Particularly, a case where two brothers fall in love with the same woman, who the author chose to name Judith because she reminds the characters of the eponymous painting by G. Klimt; and her decision to hire him.
The narrator meets another woman in Vienna, after finishing Judiths' case, but doesn't do anything to her, although it was implied that she is prone to his methods.
Later he talks another woman into suicide.
Now, you can observe the unnamed narrator as death, or rather the innermost desire for destruction. Also, a bit reminiscent of Greek Mythology and Thanatos.
There were some cringy parts in this, example a:
Parts like that were overly dramatic that made the serious tone feel silly and forced.
The book was pretty short, and the way it was arranged didn't really make me think about the topics inside which is a downside.
Finally, I didn't really like this book. It was mediocre at best, which is strange considering the topic discussed, it didn't evoke any stronger feelings within me. So the final verdict is 3/5.
An individual who has the power to guide people to their demise is a grey area, if they don't necessarily kill them with action can they be charged with killing them using their words?
The novel starts in a form that reminds me of indie movies with clear cuts and lifeless monochromatic images flashing while a deep voice narrates the ideas of the main character - TLDR: it's cinematic.
Robespierre's reign of terror was set in motion after Marat's death. David understood the Jacobins' aesthetic imperative: A revolution cannot progress without the fuel of terror. With time that relationship inverts: The revolution presses forward for the sake of terror. Like an artist, the man creating terror should be detached, cold-blooded. He must keep in mind that the energy of the terror he releases can consume him. Robespierre died at the guillotine.
The unnamed main character is writing a Novel about some of his "work". Particularly, a case where two brothers fall in love with the same woman, who the author chose to name Judith because she reminds the characters of the eponymous painting by G. Klimt; and her decision to hire him.
The narrator meets another woman in Vienna, after finishing Judiths' case, but doesn't do anything to her, although it was implied that she is prone to his methods.
Later he talks another woman into suicide.
Now, you can observe the unnamed narrator as death, or rather the innermost desire for destruction. Also, a bit reminiscent of Greek Mythology and Thanatos.
There were some cringy parts in this, example a:
Where are you from?"
"Hong Kong," she answered curtly. "What about you?"
"Me? I'm from Hell."
Parts like that were overly dramatic that made the serious tone feel silly and forced.
The book was pretty short, and the way it was arranged didn't really make me think about the topics inside which is a downside.
Finally, I didn't really like this book. It was mediocre at best, which is strange considering the topic discussed, it didn't evoke any stronger feelings within me. So the final verdict is 3/5.
kmerce's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
willowcabin's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
chimo's review against another edition
1.0
This book has potential, but the author decided to make it shitty.
isabellita's review against another edition
4.0
Very weird but interesting book. It analyses death and life poetically and cynically. It made me reflect on many things. I also enjoyed the connection with art and music. I looked up all the painting and songs mentioned and felt that I was with the characters.
The novel poses the question: If humans desire life, couldn’t they also desire death, which is a part of life? Can’t our desires advance beyond life and reach the realm of death?
The novel poses the question: If humans desire life, couldn’t they also desire death, which is a part of life? Can’t our desires advance beyond life and reach the realm of death?
mxmlln's review against another edition
2.0
Story: 3.5 / 10
Characters: 8.5
Setting: 6
Prose: 7.5
Tags: Suicide, suicide assistance, brotherhood, women, love, swinging
Characters: 8.5
Setting: 6
Prose: 7.5
Tags: Suicide, suicide assistance, brotherhood, women, love, swinging
squidjum's review against another edition
2.0
I really thought I would enjoy this book more than I did. But in the end, the only character I kind of believed in was K, and even that was rocky at times.
Oh well.
Oh well.
noella19's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
All in all be careful when you read the book. Very trigger warning conversations
The brothers felt even more like strangers at the end than in the beginning.
I feel for K and the fact that he attempted to reach out but was ignored by C. He seems very lost and the book ends with him unraveling.
C is quite literally the worst. He appears to believe himself the center of the universe but not to a degree were he consideres himself above everything and everyone else (at least not blatantly) but he’s just so stuck in his own world. Everyone appears like a prop in his life to keep his day going and even though some made an impact in his life but somehow not enough to ground him in reality. He seems not see people as people but pieces and some with more depth than others.
Mimi and Judith felt like text book manic pixie girls but yet were intriguing. Can’t say their choices surprised me but their explanations fell flat but maybe it’s because they were talking to c and were aware of how he views them. I wanted more from and for them.
The ominous voice that assisted with the decisions to exit was intriguing to say the least. At first I thought he was simply the embodiment of death himself but clearly he wasn’t but he was something else. His reasoning is realistic but unfair to most but he seemed to hold more compassion for the people he met and helped.
The book sad and the characters are broken but each one is finding a way to cope or make the pain go away.
All in all be careful. Take breaks if necessary.
The brothers felt even more like strangers at the end than in the beginning.
I feel for K and the fact that he attempted to reach out but was ignored by C. He seems very lost and the book ends with him unraveling.
C is quite literally the worst. He appears to believe himself the center of the universe but not to a degree were he consideres himself above everything and everyone else (at least not blatantly) but he’s just so stuck in his own world. Everyone appears like a prop in his life to keep his day going and even though some made an impact in his life but somehow not enough to ground him in reality. He seems not see people as people but pieces and some with more depth than others.
Mimi and Judith felt like text book manic pixie girls but yet were intriguing. Can’t say their choices surprised me but their explanations fell flat but maybe it’s because they were talking to c and were aware of how he views them. I wanted more from and for them.
The ominous voice that assisted with the decisions to exit was intriguing to say the least. At first I thought he was simply the embodiment of death himself but clearly he wasn’t but he was something else. His reasoning is realistic but unfair to most but he seemed to hold more compassion for the people he met and helped.
The book sad and the characters are broken but each one is finding a way to cope or make the pain go away.
All in all be careful. Take breaks if necessary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Suicide