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bitofadisgrace's review against another edition
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Sexual assault
outerscout's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
typically love my shirley jackson, but i think i went into this one anticipating a different story than i got. i still enjoyed it, especially natalie as a character and the portrayal of trauma & dissociation. very introspective book without much of a defined plot. a lot left unsaid for the reader to interpret on their own. i feel like it might hit better upon a reread with adjusted expectations
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
Minor: Abortion
toffishay's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Natalie is such an interesting character. She is so sad and lonely and is overlooked and beaten down by the how small her world it. As such, Natalie lives so much in her head. This is such an interior book, which I think can make it challenging. The POV shifts from a more omnipotent one to Natalie herself and maybe she is the omnipotent narrator in her own story...or she is just one character moving around. If you enjoyed Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh, I think that you will enjoy this book. It's quite tense, especially at the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Classism, and Sexual assault
Minor: Abortion
mateoj's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Shirley Jackson was a genius.
What's so great about Hangsaman isn't necessarily the plot (which I can admit is fairly minimal and not especially concrete) but the way Jackson so perfectly describes the thoughts and feelings Natalie has about her life and the events and people therein. There is almost a kind of meta-narrative happening, where Natalie's internal narration of her life nestles within Jackson's external narrative of Natalie.
What's so great about Hangsaman isn't necessarily the plot (which I can admit is fairly minimal and not especially concrete) but the way Jackson so perfectly describes the thoughts and feelings Natalie has about her life and the events and people therein. There is almost a kind of meta-narrative happening, where Natalie's internal narration of her life nestles within Jackson's external narrative of Natalie.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Rape
mondovertigo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Infidelity, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt
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