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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
tense
medium-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
dark
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Trigger warning: the narrator seriously struggles with depression and attempts to commit suicide twice. Someone else around him succeeds. Also LOTS of sexism. It was written in the 1940’s, which while not an excuse, is likely explains some of the misogyny. Proceed at your own discretion.
Don’t read this book for fun. It’s not fun. Only ready this book if you’re mentally healthy and want to catch a glimpse into one of humanity’s the deepest fears: ‘Are we valued/worthy/loveable’.
Some people with depression seek out the small, bright, joy in every mundane scenario. This narrator manages to highlight the fear and the ugliness in every moment of this life he deems important enough to share.
Was this a literary work that helped expand my understanding of humanity? Yeah, I guess. I’ve had plenty of these dark thoughts myself (excluding his endless monologues on womanhood). But I purposefully don’t dwell on them for extended periods of time, like the time it took to read this book.
Would I read it again? Probably not. But now I can say I’ve already read it if anyone recommends it in the future.
dark
emotional
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
sad
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
A portrait of a man's mdntal illness exacerbated by a society that fails to acknowledge or attempt to understand it. A book that illistrates the diatribe that 'hurt people hurt people'. I can't say I was stunned by the writing or amazed at the progression of this story, but it definitely serves up a serious contemplative heap of depression. That it is something of a semi-autobiographical suicide note gives the work more meaning and depth than it perhaps would have standing on its own. It's quick, so it's solid, otherwise it would risk overstaying its welcome and being too dreadful.
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i couldn't even explain this to people. other than that its portrayal of struggle is done very well. difficult in nature but so matter-of-factly in its delivery. the translation was also clearly off in some parts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death of parent
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use
Minor: Suicide attempt, Death of parent