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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really enjoyed the multilayered aspect of a book within a book, the uncertainty of narration. Interesting historical narrativization as well and light handed commentary on American financial capitalism.
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The writing is excellent throughout. The structure is quite interesting. That said, some sections could’ve been tightened up while still maintaining the through line to the ending reveal. 3.75. The manner that Diaz uses to tell the story of these characters in a meta textual manner is intriguing throughout the novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, War, Classism
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found this book to be a really fascinating literary puzzle and character study.
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book just wasn’t for me. Even though each section of the book is supposed to be written by a different character, the writing style and pace is fairly uniform, so it was difficult to become immersed in the “unique” worlds of each character. I also found the writing style a bit pretentious/pompous - like they had just finished studying for the GRE verbal section.
The ending was a twist, but I felt disappointed. It was boring and again, the writing style was nearly identical to the styles of the previous sections. Not for me.
The ending was a twist, but I felt disappointed. It was boring and again, the writing style was nearly identical to the styles of the previous sections. Not for me.