Reviews tagging 'Incest'

Paradais by Fernanda Melchor

55 reviews

ceco_'s review against another edition

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dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Fernanda Melchor's best on display. Her stream of consciousness writing style propels you though the narrative at a dizzying, breakneck pace only to come out the other side surprised at how much character work, themes and perspectives you've absorbed along the way. 

Paradais holds up a mirror to the class divide, misogyny and gang violence playing out in Mexico. It's unflinching in the cruelty it portrays, yet honest. Because as twisted as these characters are, as foul and sickening their actions, there's no doubt in your mind that they do exist somewhere out there, maybe not in this exact configuration, not in this exact crime, but an echo all the same. 

I don't recommend this book if you have a weak stomach. Melchor pulls no punches in the way these characters interact with each other and the world. I'm talking fatphobic, homophic and misogynistic slurs + tropes littering almost every page. Read with caution. It will disgust you. 

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katsteele5's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Amazing prose, truly beautiful writing, and yet somehow seems to be unrelentingly dark for the sake of it. I can’t really wrap my head around this. 

I didn’t find Polo’s immediate willingness to go along with Franco’s scheme very convincing. I might have felt a lot differently about it had that not been the case.

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sophstercat's review against another edition

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dark fast-paced
  • Loveable characters? No

2.5

This book is well written and a quick read but truly dark and sick and hard to read and made me feel really bad and gross after reading. I personally would not recommend but also think some may really enjoy it. 

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ssamdaly's review against another edition

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dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


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samwall's review

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dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

If you’re looking for a dark, intense, and overwhelming story I recommend this piece.

Fair warning - it is incredibly vile, the characters thoughts and the world that they live in. Do proceed with caution - but if you are a fan of dark books I highly recommend this!

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etbliss's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense fast-paced

3.75


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mmefish's review

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dark tense 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

4.5

Well, I don't know. Her books are something else.
Great build-up, even greater execution. Horrific. Fernanda Melchior can certainly fucking write.

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okaymistelyn's review against another edition

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challenging dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

this book was….a lot. disgusting, fucked up, uncomfortable, all of it. but it was still good. just prepare yourself. 

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junejunejulyjuly's review against another edition

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dark 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

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cmcrockford's review

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challenging dark sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Pretty great crime novella even if part of me thinks it should be a short story. 

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