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brulereads's review
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The dogs indeed die. The last third of the story switches pace, tense & perspectives. It ruined an initially compellingly strange book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Sexual assault
Minor: Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Rape, Animal death, Physical abuse, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
neni's review against another edition
challenging
funny
slow-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? Yes
3.75
This was a peculiar read. I have never encountered a writing style quite as weird and whimsical as Angela Carter's. It's a bit like Haruki Murakami's but somehow more magical, funnier and less depressing. And there were definitely lines and scenes where the writing was beautiful.
As much as I admire the writing however, it did get a little bit too nonsensical and convoluted at times, and there were several chapters where I was a bit confused as to what was going on. I understand that this was probably a choice and that, as a magical realism piece, some allowances must be made for what normally constitutes "plot logic" or "scene continuity", but I couldn't help feeling torn between being impressed with the sheer level of astonishing leaps and twisting turns the plot took, and being annoyed at how convenient it is that not everything needed to make sense. It was definitely an experience, not wholy good or bad.
In terms of pacing, I really enjoyed the first half of the book, but I must say I felt like it dragged a lot in the last chapters, to the point where the ending just didn't feel like it made a ton of sense. Again. One could argue, none of the book makes sense, so why would the ending be any different lol
Honorable mention, as well, to the ammount of women in this book who just said "fuck everything, lets just be gay and elope into the wilderness", an attitude which I respect immensely.
Overall, I'm rating it below 4 stars because of the pacing problems and the sometimes confusing writing, but I enjoyed the experience of reading it and I look forward to read more of Angela Carter's writing in the future.
As much as I admire the writing however, it did get a little bit too nonsensical and convoluted at times, and there were several chapters where I was a bit confused as to what was going on. I understand that this was probably a choice and that, as a magical realism piece, some allowances must be made for what normally constitutes "plot logic" or "scene continuity", but I couldn't help feeling torn between being impressed with the sheer level of astonishing leaps and twisting turns the plot took, and being annoyed at how convenient it is that not everything needed to make sense. It was definitely an experience, not wholy good or bad.
In terms of pacing, I really enjoyed the first half of the book, but I must say I felt like it dragged a lot in the last chapters, to the point where the ending just didn't feel like it made a ton of sense. Again. One could argue, none of the book makes sense, so why would the ending be any different lol
Honorable mention, as well, to the ammount of women in this book who just said "fuck everything, lets just be gay and elope into the wilderness", an attitude which I respect immensely.
Overall, I'm rating it below 4 stars because of the pacing problems and the sometimes confusing writing, but I enjoyed the experience of reading it and I look forward to read more of Angela Carter's writing in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Confinement, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Mental illness, Animal cruelty, Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal death, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Sexism, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Kidnapping, and Death
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