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moonpix's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly mostly just made me want to reread the power of the dog lol
shaynanima's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
kayleigh214's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sarahbaileyreads's review against another edition
5.0
This was fabulous! I could spend the rest of the year thinking about this one-- so many layers. Loved it.
“Truth uncompromisingly told will always have its jagged edges.”
“Truth uncompromisingly told will always have its jagged edges.”
hollewade's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wonderful story, I loved all the setup for the eventual action. It helped frame the story and the injustice that happened.
Minor: Blood and Death
alana_f's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I believe Melville is making a larger scope of criticism over lawful process and also a critique on the individual level of officials of the law in regards to following orders. This stance can be seen through the text’s -I would argue- condemning of Captian Vere, which I believe is further reinforced by the text’s biblical allusions and end episodes.
kellieveltri's review against another edition
2.0
It’s hard to refute that this book is well-written—after all, the only thing that Melville may be better known for than his sprawling prose is his love of boats—but if you are a person who prefers plot-driven stories like I do, this novella is probably not for you. Not much happens, and even the stakes of the central crisis feel much lower than they should given the situation. All in all, this story is a quick read that’s largely exposition and denouement without a lot of climactic action in the middle, but at least you can say you’ve read Melville without having to attempt Moby Dick.
P.S. There’s no doubt that my reading journal on this book for class will include the phrase “heavy-handed symbolism” at least once.
P.S. There’s no doubt that my reading journal on this book for class will include the phrase “heavy-handed symbolism” at least once.
imgayforspace's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75