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mals_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
while some stories were not my favorite and i did not vibe well with them (dropped my rating a bit to include those), there were a few i really adored, including the final story that took up a third or so of the book, Special Topic in Loneliness Studies (if this were a novella on its own, it would have been a 5 star read for me), as well as A Rare and Powerful Employee (show-stopping tbh) and Mercury in Retrograde.
i was able to attend a book talk with this author and we were able to ask questions re: the misogyny many of his characters embody. i agree this book will not be for everyone given its explicit nature, and it truthfully can be quite offensive at times.
but there is a lot to take from this series of (loosely interconnected) stories. it’s quirky and smart, and Scott’s stories regarding machines (like Mercury in Retrograde) are so well thought out.
tough read, and i had to take breaks between some of the stories, but i urge you to read through to (or skip to) Special Topic in Loneliness Studies. i feel a lot of his work fully comes together in this story. raw and breathtaking.
i was able to attend a book talk with this author and we were able to ask questions re: the misogyny many of his characters embody. i agree this book will not be for everyone given its explicit nature, and it truthfully can be quite offensive at times.
but there is a lot to take from this series of (loosely interconnected) stories. it’s quirky and smart, and Scott’s stories regarding machines (like Mercury in Retrograde) are so well thought out.
tough read, and i had to take breaks between some of the stories, but i urge you to read through to (or skip to) Special Topic in Loneliness Studies. i feel a lot of his work fully comes together in this story. raw and breathtaking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Racism
Moderate: Racial slurs and Sexual content
kristinallard's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Police brutality, Alcoholism, Blood, Violence, Slavery, Misogyny, Child death, Cursing, Drug use, Sexism, Death, Sexual content, and Racial slurs
savvylit's review against another edition
Something about these stories just didn't work for me. They were each narrated by men and the way that these narrators discussed women just made me uncomfortable. After reading multiple stories where the only female characters are intensely objectified, I was dreading continuing this book. So I just decided to not finish.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Racism, Murder, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Misogyny, and Violence
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