Scan barcode
whatismoareading's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
henrygravesprince's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
3.0
This is an interesting novella that seems to have The Talented Mr. Ripley-esque twinges of a class struggle at its core, but so much of it is told through smoke and mirrors to obscure 1940s political commentary through an also-1940s cultural lense, and so reading this and deciphering it for me felt very “through a glass darkly”. It almost leans into surrealism, but shies away from actually going into it, and it’s very ‘stream of consciousness’ in its literary aesthetic. I’m not sure if I’m just not tuned into the particular era on the literary analysis dial or if the book’s brevity made it more difficult to glean the meaning in its short runtime.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Fatphobia and Misogyny
Minor: Classism
larry_yonce's review
4.0
the illusion of comfort
A morally weak veteran and student of law succumbs to the manipulations of his servant. Powerful novella that serves (pun intended) as a cautionary tale. Harrowing and not out of the realm of possibility. This edition includes two excellent extras: An introduction by William Lawrence & a preface by the author. For the greatest impact, I recommend reading both of these after you have finished the novella.
A morally weak veteran and student of law succumbs to the manipulations of his servant. Powerful novella that serves (pun intended) as a cautionary tale. Harrowing and not out of the realm of possibility. This edition includes two excellent extras: An introduction by William Lawrence & a preface by the author. For the greatest impact, I recommend reading both of these after you have finished the novella.
priceliketag's review
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
tomripley's review
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
More...