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nyarasha's review against another edition
5.0
A cutting view of the human condition, which requires something of an open and cynical mind to appreciate. Stories are presented in a disarming way, imitating the simple distractions, deceptions, and multiple faceted personalities of everyday life. Some of the most creative use of imagery I have seen in a long time is employed by Johnson. Unreality and hallucination mix with daily life in such a way that it is sometimes hard to tell what is really happening, and what is imagined, but that is exactly how the characters are feeling, too - that subtle sense of unease and wonder. Not to be read straight through (I tried!), this book is a solid jewel in the midst of books with straightforward and predictable plot paths. So glad it was lent to me!
hippoponymous's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ireadslow's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
morteno's review against another edition
1,5 novelle læst. Sagde mig ikke noget. Sproget ej heller.
lisawhelpley's review against another edition
4.0
The words! The author gives us characters that are hideous and derelict, then writes such beautiful sentences that I can't even believe it.
julesgothebooks's review against another edition
2.0
În prezentarea cărții se spune, printre altele, că autorul consideră că „scrie propoziții” bine. Nimic mai adevărat. Asta mi-a plăcut din povestirile din antologie: fraze scurte, crâmpeie, imagini. Am înțeles c-ar fi ecranizată și aș fi curioasă să mă uit, pentru că există într-adevăr multă cinematografie între pagini. Nu am empatizat, însă, cu personajele, și nici cu modul dezlânat de narare - perfect legitim, dat fiind contextul, însă nu pentru mine, nu acum.
noodlesniebauer's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.5
loreoftheuniverse's review against another edition
dark
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
rienthril's review against another edition
3.0
Drug-addled American with angels and demons slugging it out inside, casting about the 60s or 70s or thereabouts, I don’t know. Years ago maybe I could’ve loved this for it’s objectively beautiful writing and could’ve told all my friends to read this alongside the Beats or something; but now? Now, I do not think we need any more stories of white American cowboy drug men doing whatever they want, bordering on the sociopathic and being passed off as antiheroes we can root for. We do not need any more rugged individualist stories of failure and salvation and failure again. It’s old, tired and toxic.