Reviews

Kallocain by Karin Boye

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booklover_237's review against another edition

5.0

Read it for school and was not expecting to like it much. Turns out I loved I it! The first couple of chapters were hard to get through, but after that it was an incredibly enjoyable read that had themes of power, freedom, and the role of the state.

eren_reads's review against another edition

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challenging dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is a classic dystopia that touches on the fears of the time in which it was written and are still present in the modern day. That being the fear of not only the state having complete authoritarian control over individuals lives but also gaining access to our thoughts via a truth serum. That was one of the things I thought was so good about this book, that it is still topical.

Another aspect that I thought was really effective was the choice of narrative voice, someone who is not only not the 'good guy' but also someone who aligns themselves with the regime they live under. The reason I thought this was so effective was that it is particularly unnerving to have someone state horrific ideas, like the state accessing individuals thoughts, in such a nonchalant and accepting way.

The only thing that is holding me back from rating this higher is that I found the writing to be just fine throughout. It wasn't bad just not amazing, like some others that I have read in this genre.

kendallbehr's review

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dark hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Very interesting read! Some inconsistencies bothered me and sometimes pulled me out of the novel, like the concept of love existing in a society that taught zero individuality. Still amazing to think that it feels very contemporary and relevant to today.