Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Roadside Picnic by Arkady Strugatsky, Boris Strugatsky

9 reviews

ash_tambora's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This was an interesting read for me. I like that the book focuses on working class people. I feel like I could meet them in real life--not to say that they're actually likeable. I was amused by the philosophical conversation later in the story. It's not too complicated or even hard to understand. If you're looking for a hard sci-fi book, this is not for you. If you're looking for a story that has a larger message about the human condition, then this may suit you. Warning, there is some misogyny and racism in the book. That aspect is distasteful, but typical of the 70s.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny

Minor: Racism

beckhaze's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

erikwmj's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror and Death

Moderate: Domestic abuse

Minor: Racism and Sexism

lynxpardinus's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark reflective

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Medical content, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, Body shaming, Confinement, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexism, Violence, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Racism, Toxic relationship, and War

saraaaa's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Violence, Grief, and Alcohol

Moderate: Body horror

Minor: Body shaming, Misogyny, and Racism

storyorc's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The Zone is everything I want from the unknowable. Also never loses sight of, or condemns, the little people, where many books would let themselves get seduced by the decision-makers.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism and Sexism

honeysenchalatte's review against another edition

adventurous funny reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

I liked this book. My old roommate considered it a favorite, and lent me his copy when I mentioned that I wanted to get into sci-fi. It took me a little bit to appreciate Roadside Picnic, but since I’ve started the book, I continue to revisit the concepts in it again and again.

I liked how the Strugatskys explore the idea that our most heartfelt desires are different than the wishes we make, and that they can not only be selfish, but also out of our control in intent and affect. Also the idea of a passing “picnic” having a profound affect on the beings in the surrounding area via lingering radiation/ongoing trauma

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Content Warnings

Minor: Racism

edensbookshelf's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Alcoholism and Death of parent

Minor: Misogyny and Racism

heini's review against another edition

adventurous dark lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Alcoholism and Racism