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emmagreenwood's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Rape, Abandonment, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Torture, Excrement, Gore, Sexual assault, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Colonisation, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Physical abuse, Blood, Forced institutionalization, Sexual violence, Cannibalism, Murder, Racial slurs, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, War, and Xenophobia
lakeus's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
SPOILERS AHEAD
I cannot piece together my thoughts on this book and I wonder whether it was the author’s intention to have that effect.
The chapters about Alfa’s time in the trenches following Mademba’s death and slow spiral into madness are so well written and heartbreaking, especially when reflecting on the death of the ‘traitors’ and his murder of the young German soldier- over who he feels some guilt towards. I think it shows the catastrophic effects of war and brutal violence on the human psyche and what grief can do to a person.
However, in the last few chapters I became confused at the drastically different tone and subject- mainly Alfa’s background- and the twist in the final chapter. I have my own interpretations of what it means but it did catch me off guard and shifted the book’s tone to mystery/fantasy depending on how you read it.
I will definitely need to reread the ending at some point.
I cannot piece together my thoughts on this book and I wonder whether it was the author’s intention to have that effect.
The chapters about Alfa’s time in the trenches following Mademba’s death and slow spiral into madness are so well written and heartbreaking, especially when reflecting on the death of the ‘traitors’ and his murder of the young German soldier- over who he feels some guilt towards. I think it shows the catastrophic effects of war and brutal violence on the human psyche and what grief can do to a person.
However, in the last few chapters I became confused at the drastically different tone and subject- mainly Alfa’s background- and the twist in the final chapter. I have my own interpretations of what it means but it did catch me off guard and shifted the book’s tone to mystery/fantasy depending on how you read it.
I will definitely need to reread the ending at some point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Torture, Violence, Vomit, and War
Moderate: Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts
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