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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
reflective
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Women are growing mushrooms from within their bodies. They have insatiable sexual stamina and eventually grow penises. Men become pregnant. Such is the wacky world of 'The Beauty'.
I'd be really curious to understand what Aliya Whiteley set out to do, because the result is a thought experiment in which men become women and women become men. But because of this pretty much 1-1 swap, there isn't anything left of what was originally man or woman. So I fail to see how this is different than the world we have today, but reversed?
I also wouldn't describe this as horror. I wasn't scared, terrified or horrified. There are these bodily transformations that happen, but their neither described in a lot of detail, nor are they particularly tense scenes.
Not one I'd recommend, I don't think it shined anywhere in particular.
I'd be really curious to understand what Aliya Whiteley set out to do, because the result is a thought experiment in which men become women and women become men. But because of this pretty much 1-1 swap, there isn't anything left of what was originally man or woman. So I fail to see how this is different than the world we have today, but reversed?
I also wouldn't describe this as horror. I wasn't scared, terrified or horrified. There are these bodily transformations that happen, but their neither described in a lot of detail, nor are they particularly tense scenes.
Not one I'd recommend, I don't think it shined anywhere in particular.
Body horror and gender role reversals. Also mushroom women. Maybe not my cup of tea.
I loved this book. Because it’s a novella it’s a quick read. The way it’s written almost feels like poetry, which isn’t always my favorite, but I loved it here. I read this book this first time a few years ago and it has stuck with me. I reread it occasionally because I can’t get it out of my head. It’s one of the books I recommend to people if they are looking for a quick read. I don’t think it’s for everyone, but I loved it.
The weirdest book I’ve ever read, very happy it was a short read. I’m sure that many would like this but it just wasn’t for me. Almost a DNF
This is a collection of two unconnected novelettes, The Beauty and Peace, Pipe.
CW: Depiction of Transphobia, Consent Issues
The Beauty is a wild and weird story of a commune of men waiting out the end of humanity; as all women have been consumed by a virulent fungus. The plot quickly grows beyond any expectation when a new strain of women appear.
The story becomes a compelling uncomfortable examination of gender identity and fluidity; bursting though gender normative constructs and power structures.
Lots of gooey body horror and bizarre mushroom sex.
Totally worth checking out.
Peace, Pipe is a solid story of capitalist exploitation and colonialism seen through the desperation of a diplomat in isolation, scrambling to salvage their career/ personal humanity.
In their search for any connection to an empathetic life, they bond with the water in a pipe in their cell. Their relationship becomes a fascinating linguistic study.
Really well done.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes