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georgiakirkegard's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Rape and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Self harm, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Abortion, and Death of parent
kry_yang's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I think The Incendiaries attempts to tackle concepts like religious fanaticism, faith, love, and grief. I couldn't really connect with any the characters though. RO Kwon really takes her time developing a dream-like, surreal vibe to the entire story, but her style just left me feeling confused and frustrated. While reading, I kept getting the characters' perspectives mixed up. The ending was my favorite part of the book, but I think that's only because something concrete and action-worthy actually happens in the last 50 pages. I feel like this is the type of book where, despite reading the entire story, I still need to refer to the back of the cover when describing it to someone else.
I think R.O. Kwon is a really talented writer (and an overall super-cool person). But nothing is this book *really* worked for me. There was beautiful language, some poignant descriptions of characters' meditations on faith, and I did get some dark-academia vibes with the Noxhurst college setting. Unfortunately, that's pretty much everything I enjoyed about this book.
Graphic: Grief and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Car accident, Abortion, and Death of parent
Minor: Rape and Suicide
painausten314's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Rape and Violence
g_blundo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Minor: Rape, Suicide, and Abortion
dale1997's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Death of parent, and Alcohol
kkontraproduktiv's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Abortion, and Gaslighting
maryy_r0se's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
"I ate pain. I swilled tears. If I could take enough in, I'd have no space left to fit my own."
Every so often, I read a book that I just cannot get out of my head. This is certainly one of those books.
Will Kendall transfers to Edwards University after abandoning his fundamentalist Christian beliefs and subsequently, leaving his Bible School behind as well. He meets Phoebe Lin, an infectious and enigmatic young woman who is struggling with guilt after her mother's death. He is immediately drawn to her, and the two embark in a relationship. Things begin to fracture, however, as Phoebe grows closer to John Leal, a charismatic religious leader who Will is unable to trust.
With breathtaking, descriptive prose, R.O. Kwon reveals the ugly, complex side of faith. This story provides the most masterful and nuanced interpretation of religious trauma that I have ever witnessed. Though the story is mainly told from Will's perspective, Phoebe and John also share the narration, although even then, Will acts as a sort of vessel for their stories. While Will provided an interesting and resentful view of religion, it was Phoebe's sections that I looked forward to the most. That said, if you are looking for likable characters, look elsewhere.
I unfortunately think that the publishers may have failed this novel, because the most common description of the book feels inaccurate and incomplete. The story does not focus on Will's search for Phoebe; that section makes up about 10% of the book at most. The story focuses on the events leading up to the event, and Will witnessing Phoebe's descent into extremism. It focuses on a toxic relationship just as much as it focuses on the dangers associated with religion.
The prose in this novel is some of the best prose I have ever read, alongside Donna Tartt, Scott Heim, and Jeffrey Eugenides. If you don't like descriptive prose, it may not be for you. The best way to explain how gorgeous it can be is to give an example, and the book's final passage is the best example there is. The passage states:
I cannot wait to read everything else Kwon has ever written and will ever write. This book will stick with me for a long, long time.
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Mental illness, Misogyny, Suicide, Stalking, Abortion, and Alcohol
mikaelaandherbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Mental illness, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
courtneyfalling's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Rape, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, and Abortion
ndrsmoon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Rape and Abortion
Minor: Religious bigotry