Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

Lagt kort by Lars Gustav Hellström, Joan Didion

71 reviews

dark reflective sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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challenging dark sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I'm at a loss to rate this book. It's brilliantly written, but it's just too dark and full of self-destruction for me at this stage in my life. I might have appreciated it fully when I was in my 20s and loving the writings of William S. Burroughs and Hunter S. Thompson, but I just don't want all that sad dissipation in my reading anymore. I'm not looking for heartwarming affirmations, but this book is a perfect storm of things that manage to depress me: a gorgeous and smart young woman--an actress and model--spiraling downward into a mental health crisis; "friends" who are mostly powerful but shallow men who exploit her professionally and sexually; late-1960s southern California--especially Hollywood--and Las Vegas culture; drugs, alcohol, pool parties . . . This was particularly not what I needed during the 2024 U.S. election, but at least it was a quick read. So: all the stars in the world for Joan Didion's writing + negative stars for its effect on me = 3 stars, I guess. 

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challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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dark emotional sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The book's beauty was undeniable, but it didn't quite spark the emotional connection I craved.

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challenging dark emotional reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated

Stark. Beautiful. So, so dark. This book, like no other I can think of in recent memory, felt like a heavy night.  I didn't expect to be so caught up in the weight.

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dark reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings