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jessbooks777's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: War, Mental illness, and Violence
Moderate: Rape
lous_world's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really enjoyed this book, it was dark and emotional and drew me in from the very beginning. Such a wonderful work of fiction so clearly based on real life experiences.
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Mental illness
stephsbookedout's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Death, War, Gun violence, and Violence
procrasreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, Gore, Blood, Murder, and Mental illness
erebus53's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is a story that is deftly crafted. It is a lyrically poetic short-read, that has lines that are used and reused like a mantra. They ground the story where the mentality of the narrator is not always so grounded.
In war the conflict is as much internal as external, and this is a story of duality. It primarily deals with the narrator's conflict over moral imperatives, and the practicalities of situations. Is morality absolute?, or is the outcome worse when you "do what you must"? When you are doing Good because you have unquestioning duty, you do not stop and think for yourself. These are the disconcerting grey areas that more people ignore.
The self analysis of a man who has gone through, and been damaged by, horrendous trauma
unearths the revelation that there are sometimes "thoughts too well dressed to be honest". It's clear that the emotional and mental state of people in conflict puts pressure on these thoughts.. the simple truths or simple lies that we are taught, that are used to describe our value systems, and the roles that others expect us to fill.
War demands inhumanity of humans. It calls brutality good, and rewards those who are unwise. It expects you to ignore your own survival instinct and lean a little into the insanity of Bravery.. but you need to come back from that edge. People want temporary madmen; "no continuous madmen".
This story told by a broken person who has leaned too far into the madness of war, has a great narrative flow. The tal is laid out about the harshness of battle, and some life in the trenches, and in recollections from before the war. The ending is a bit of a departure from the rest of the story and has a fabulous twist. Whether or not the narrator is reliable is left up to your scrutiny.
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Blood, Racism, Sexual content, War, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Racial slurs, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
lwgreen1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Violence, War, Blood, Gun violence, and Gore
abrownb15's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Rape, Violence, and Sexual violence
mordshunger's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Repetitive quirks in the style that I grew to despise, graphic violence, weird ending.
Graphic: Rape, War, Death, and Violence
random19379's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Sexual content
aden_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and War
Moderate: Rape