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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Vomit, Murder
Moderate: Racial slurs, Suicide, Antisemitism, Stalking
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very hard to review. Beautiful writing. Narration was awesome. But it really was wordy and hard to listen to at times. Took a long time to get to the actual story of the painting and trading of souls. There was a huge chunk of the story in the middle that nothing happened. A long list of rocks/jewels collected. I was like this is his hedonism?!? I collect rocks LMAO His actual debauchery was only alluded to, never spoken of. Which actually was quite brilliantly done. I think I may like this one better the second time around.
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed how Wilde writes. Even if it is a rather dark read, it was fun to spend some time with the work of someone who has so obviously influenced some of my favourite contemporary writers. I’m a little mad I didn’t unpack this in a more formal setting or even in a book club but there’s a lot to unpack. I could have dealt without the causal racism and antisemitism but I am, ultimately, glad I stuck with it. Shout out to the literary pub crawl guides in Dublin who inspired me to finally pick up this book. Well done, sirs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Drug use, Gun violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Racism, Antisemitism
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
I really enjoyed the symbolism and the message the story conveyed. Some parts felt a little slow, but overall it was definitely worth the read. I also thought the ending was satisfying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Classism
Minor: Antisemitism
mysterious
reflective
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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