Reviews with content warning for Suicidal thoughts - Venomous Lumpsucker

Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'

Venomous Lumpsucker by Ned Beauman

20 reviews

maxfelixwp's review against another edition

challenging dark funny sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

VENOMOUS LUMPSUCKER by Ned Beauman is this incredible... black comedy / horror? I hardly know how to describe it. It takes place in a near-future where fighting human-generated climate change has become a multi-billion dollar multinational industry - with all the bizarre corruptions, kickbacks, proxy wars, dumb Elon Musk techbros, etc. that kind of industry would create. The plot revolves around "extinction credits" (permission slips that companies can pay billions of dollars for, in order to legally exterminate species) - but it's all theoretically okay because species' genetic data is backed up on servers called biobanks - but then the biobanks get hacked. One of those species is the smartest animal in the world - a fish - the venomous lumpsucker. It's genuinely a black comedy, it's hilarious - but so dark and unnerving. It ends on a particularly spectacular, funny, dark, mysterious note that I can't even explain.

As someone who struggles sometimes with passive suicidal ideation at times - worsened by political events! - I'll give a big CW that this book also deals with a character genuinely weighing the utilitarian good of committing suicide vs continuing to be part of the human race. But I legit, like, was able to laugh and genuinely appreciate the humor to help navigate through those feelings? Amazing.

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sarah_bookshelf's review against another edition

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challenging funny informative reflective medium-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

5.0

Absolutely loved the sarcastic tone of this book, especially the "Hermit Kingdom" digs at the UK throughout. The introspection about the relationship of the human race to the planet as a whole and other species was really interesting, although sometimes a little long-winded and self-flagellating. I really enjoyed the ending, I thought it was a good blend of realism and sci fi that made it extremely satisfying.

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cameronaverwhy's review against another edition

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adventurous funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.0

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carolined314's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

A twisty, savage, hilarious rollercoaster.

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abvi's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging 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? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

such good world building and it feels too real - a near future of climate crisis. i rlly enjoyed the writing style ansnthe descriptions of everything. i enjoyed the bleak humour and the subtle (not so subtle?) digs at current socio-political+environmental references

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katy_bee's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I enjoyed reading this and wanted to know how it all unfolded. There were some nonetoosubtle messages about the nature of capitalism and human beings' capacity to destroy the environment without any individual really trying. There was fun world building too.

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