Reviews tagging 'Terminal illness'

Brainwyrms by Alison Rumfitt

2 reviews

fuathling's review against another edition

dark reflective sad tense fast-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

2.75

Perhaps I'm still processing this book but in all honestly I can't give it more than a lukewarm review.

If you're looking for something to cringe over, to grimace at while reading due to the sheer abundance of grotesque, stomach-churning filth mounted on the pages: it's a book worthy of conversation. 

After reading this I found myself wishing I knew someone else who had just so that we could both stare at each other and collectively chant "what the fuck". 

Alison seems to depict transphobia as a disease-- which isn't altogether a poor depiction; but fails to tie her story together in a way that really feels concrete.

I finished this story envisioning a loosely knotted ball of dripping gore with no real core plot tying it all together. It seems to unravel at the end in a sort of "yes, its just more gross stuff" way that doesn't feel at all satisfying and instead left me going "huh???"

I wasn't disappointed but I wasn't impressed, either.

The book is chalk full of fucked up scenes, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone triggered by transphobic, dysphoric, or sexual scenarios. There's a lot to be flagged about this book, but if you can handle it-- I suggest reading it with a friend: that way you at least have someone as equally confused as you are by the end of it all.

I get the overlying message, but I failed to find the real satisfaction of a book well written.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Body horror, Mental illness, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Drug abuse, Drug use, Alcohol, Violence, Murder, and Sexual violence

vimesboottheory's review against another edition

dark emotional 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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Excrement, Pedophilia, Cannibalism, Fatphobia, Vomit, Torture, Abandonment, Misogyny, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child death, Blood, Body shaming, Miscarriage, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Classism, Death, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Violence, Transphobia, Toxic relationship, Slavery, Sexual violence, Rape, Pregnancy, and Incest