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molly_hn's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
2.5
Found the book in a local charity shop and was attracted to the cover and the idea of short stories about adolescence. I did not know, by name, who James Franco was. Unfortunately, whilst reading, I did some research and came across the allegations and controversies. I cannot pretend that this did not bias my reading of the text. Given the graphic material, the violence, the elements of coercion, sex, abuse and immorality, it is hard to bracket the author’s personal life.
The first half of the book is deeply disturbing and the depictions of violence and gore were difficult for me to get through. I think the book has clever elements and the sense of disengagement and adolescent estrangement… the discontent is captured really well. I wonder whether it speaks to that in a unique and non-moralised way. The writing is void of moral judgement, removed from guilt and has an ‘it is what it is’ sense to it which I think speaks to the perceived felt sense of lack of autonomy that characterises teenage life for some. I do think the author overeggs it at times and the character voices are not distinct from one another… perhaps this is a choice? But, regardless, it did make it difficult to disentangle them. I did enjoy the subtlety of April in the Three Parts Story but perhaps my own enjoyment of that is precisely because there was a positive element to the ‘outcome’. I also really admired The Rainbow Goblins and Wasting. It speaks to themes I have encountered professionally but not ever seen depicted from this angle before.
All that being said, the style is clunky, the read is disturbing and the character voices merge into one. I think there is plenty that can be analysed but I wonder about whether interpretation risks reaching in this case. Some of the depictions do feel unnecessary and the lack of moral judgement, whilst interesting, feels unethical. The author also uses derogatory, homophobic and racist terms which is… questionable. I’m not sure it added to the narrative or was needed. Given everything, I would not recommend this book. It risks damaging those reading it and does not feel like an ethically balanced read. There is shock factor and the ‘triggers’ included are so so numerous!
The first half of the book is deeply disturbing and the depictions of violence and gore were difficult for me to get through. I think the book has clever elements and the sense of disengagement and adolescent estrangement… the discontent is captured really well. I wonder whether it speaks to that in a unique and non-moralised way. The writing is void of moral judgement, removed from guilt and has an ‘it is what it is’ sense to it which I think speaks to the perceived felt sense of lack of autonomy that characterises teenage life for some. I do think the author overeggs it at times and the character voices are not distinct from one another… perhaps this is a choice? But, regardless, it did make it difficult to disentangle them. I did enjoy the subtlety of April in the Three Parts Story but perhaps my own enjoyment of that is precisely because there was a positive element to the ‘outcome’. I also really admired The Rainbow Goblins and Wasting. It speaks to themes I have encountered professionally but not ever seen depicted from this angle before.
All that being said, the style is clunky, the read is disturbing and the character voices merge into one. I think there is plenty that can be analysed but I wonder about whether interpretation risks reaching in this case. Some of the depictions do feel unnecessary and the lack of moral judgement, whilst interesting, feels unethical. The author also uses derogatory, homophobic and racist terms which is… questionable. I’m not sure it added to the narrative or was needed. Given everything, I would not recommend this book. It risks damaging those reading it and does not feel like an ethically balanced read. There is shock factor and the ‘triggers’ included are so so numerous!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Rape, Self harm, Toxic friendship, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Drug use, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Animal death, Antisemitism, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Fatphobia, Gore, Homophobia, and Racial slurs
Overall, I would not recommend this book. The language is inflammatory and the triggers included verge on exploitative for shock factor. The content warnings are numerous. Take care.
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