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mtro's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
masonn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Hard to pin-down - the writing was confusing to me and I didn’t feel like I was enjoying myself some of the time but I’m surprised to feel like four stars is the right reaction. Blandine the character is one of the more interesting people I’ve seen recently. I didn’t understand her but she felt real to me. Much of the writing felt unnecessary but I still wanted to push through. The type of read that makes me want to see what other people are saying about it when I’ve finished, and to me, that’s good.
lindsayorme's review against another edition
dark
funny
sad
medium-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Blood, and Animal cruelty
laceb007's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? N/A
5.0
This book was so unique and unlike anything else I've ever read. Bitingly funny, horrific, and deeply moving. I really loved everything about this book. I loved the shifting perspectives. I loved how the characters threaded in and out of each other's lives. I love how deep the grief runs, how many different types of grief are put on display, and how characters we only meet for a couple pages are whole and complete people. I don't have enough good things to say about this book. If you want to take a good hard look at how much we mean to each other, read this book!
vickiterlap's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lornaleanne96's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
inkcoffins's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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
3.0
elphabawoods's review against another edition
Simply wrong time for such a complex book
natalieweinberg's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Animal cruelty, Mental illness, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, Sexual harassment, and Murder
smileitsfree's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Pros
- Thought provoking
- Writing style
Cons
- Purple prose
- Depressing
Very deserving of the National Book Award! I don’t think the blurb did this story any justice, I also hate this cover, but the way this book made me feel! All of the characters were so well developed and explored. Each one connects to the other in such a profound way that I honestly could reread tomorrow to try and figure out their completed intersections. I loved the writing style, particularly the first and last chapters were simply a delight to engage the reader for what’s to come and how we got there. There is one chapter in which I am convinced it was the reason it won the award as it was the most authentic portrayal of consent and abusive power dynamics I have ever read. Check trigger warnings. It can be a bit pretentious at times but its lit fic and the way it's addressed in the book was a great nod from the author in my opinion. Cannot recommend enough if you want to explore some darker themes in such a beautifully crafted, tension packed narrative.
C 10 A 7 W 10 P 9 I 9 L 9 E 8 8.8