Reviews

Amphibian by Christina Neuwirth

benparker18's review

adventurous funny lighthearted 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? No

4.0

k_strau's review

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

plutosorbit's review

3.0

Funky little book, 3.5/5 stars

I think this is one of those where I'd need to ponder on it for a while.

I mainly enjoyed it because it's set in Edinburgh and reading about bits and places of the city brings Joy. It's a crazy book as in it doesn't really make sense, but on a deeper level, it does? Much confusion, let's ponder.

fenn98's review

funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

janiswong's review

dark lighthearted reflective 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? No

4.0

A funny and lighthearted critique of our current working culture and grind. A friendly reminder to reevaluate what you do during and outside of work, cleverly presented through satire.

actualspinster's review

3.25

the absurdity of late stage capitalism & obnoxious corporate culture combine... also i love the octopus 

katya's review

funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

carmenpedre's review

4.0

I enjoyed how this book stretches the metaphor so far it ends up being a physical part of the story. Our protagonist is having trouble at work and that translates into her being literally soaking wet, standing in a fish tank-like kind of office. I adored how it was located in Edinburgh and I could picture myself walking all those places I have once visited. This felt like a very good criticism to the corporative world and how bosses tend to drown their workers with mountains of work while they don't even make the effort to read emails or take complaints seriously.

ruthjenkins's review

4.0

A Kafkaesque novella in which the 4th floor of an office building is flooded to increase efficiencies and sales. I enjoyed the simultaneous outrage and adaptation of the office workers. Short and sweet and strange.

sim97's review

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

An interesting concept and at times, funny. As it’s such a short book I think there was space to expand the story by leaning into the absurdity and surreal elements. There was also room to explore more of the work place relationships. The elements of rose’s life outside of work weren’t very compelling and her friends and room mate added little to the story.