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dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first Denis Johnson book I’ve ever read, and certainly not the last. A couple of the middle stories didn’t do it for me, but I really like how Johnson ended the series. It’s incredible how such short stories can continue multitudes. I could talk about each one of these stories for hours. They are so layered and complex. I read each one twice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After I finished reading, I looked up Denis Johnson's name and was shocked to learn that he was a respected and award-winning author. Heck, this book has been adapted into a movie. I can't say that it was not well written, and the narrator was outstanding, but I hated it. The narrator took us into seedy and violent places, and for what? If you don't develop some sort of empathy for the main character, then what's the point of this story? When I think about it, the main character is like a lot of men (especially of his generation). Sure you cleaned up, but there is no regret, remorse, or responsibility.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Misogyny, Violence, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Abortion
Minor: Rape
challenging
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I picked this book up purely because of a New Yorker article centering around the first story, "Car Crash While Hitchhiking." Read in one sitting, incredibly raw.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Violence, Abortion
Minor: Rape
dark
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think we're ALL big black men
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Stalking, Car accident, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Racism, Rape, Abortion
Minor: Chronic illness
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Abortion