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bitterseason's review
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Blood
Minor: Death, Vomit, and Death of parent
rhogregoire's review
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Read for climate apocalypse compariative lit class. Short story, really loved this one. There's a really cool discussion of the merging of gender dynamics via male pregnancy, and I like the body horror that accompanies it; although it is framed as horror, most of the descriptions of alien pregnancy are not far removed from normal human pregnancy. It raises questions of the role of the body and motherhood as something alien and threatening - a loss of autonomy as something else takes your body for it's own gain.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Pregnancy
edict's review
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Animal death, Body horror, Pregnancy, and Gore
rorikae's review
challenging
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Though 'Bloodchild' by Octavia Butler is a relatively short piece, it does a lot in a small package. Butler explores the symbiotic relationship between humanity and an alien species called the Tlic. As we begin to learn more about this relationship, the main character begins to question this relationship and who it benefits. Butler does an expert job of dropping pieces of information slowly until the reader fully understands what is happening. This is a horrific but incredibly thoughtful piece that I am still thinking about. I cannot wait to read more of Butler's work because this short story demonstrates her power as a storyteller.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, and Gore
usefuljack's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is one of my favorite collections! It's beautiful, the stories are wildly different from one another, and it includes a wonderful essay written by Butler.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Body horror
booksmellers's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Gore, Death, Medical content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Animal death, Colonisation, Violence, and Sexual content
Minor: Gun violence and Medical trauma
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