Reviews

The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner

dclark32's review against another edition

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1.0

DNF at page 150. The story is going nowhere, the shifting perspectives are distracting, and I hate every character - even the ones that I feel like I'm supposed to feel some sympathy, or at least empathy for. When you stop and realize you've just glossed over a page and a half, it's time to put it down.

acohen990's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

lhbrandes's review against another edition

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dark informative 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

4.0

efullante's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

vbeth's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes

4.5

cassideekido's review against another edition

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dark funny reflective sad slow-paced
  • 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

3.25

brooke_baskin's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense 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

4.0

I found this hard to read at times but the language and dialogue was parse and very well written. The ending was very good and worth continuing with the diverse cast and shifts in point of view for. A tragic story but in the end I really was moved by the protagonist’s journey.

gbatts's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging reflective fast-paced
  • 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? No

2.0

amber2976's review against another edition

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dark sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

leighgoodmark's review against another edition

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4.0

4.5 stars. I had not intended to read this book; I work with women in prison and their lives are not entertainment. But this book is beautifully written and deeply felt, with characters that don’t feel like stereotypes.