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skeptista's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, and War
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
abbie_'s review against another edition
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Racism, Violence, and War
ida137's review against another edition
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, and War
callanisreading'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
3.0
Graphic: War, Violence, Torture, Misogyny, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Gun violence, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual violence, Rape, War, Mental illness, and Colonisation
lakeus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
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.
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