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unculturedswinehart's review against another edition
2.0
All written for shock factor, not much actual substance.
somethingblue4's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
dark, eerie, and introspective, this is a read I'm still not sure how I feel about, but there is no regret.
alymiwasaa's review against another edition
2.0
disappointing, i wanted to like this book SO much more than i did. i’ve never read any of moshfegh’s work, but the nonchalant style coupled with the almost torture-porn-y content really irked me. it ended up feeling like a moral orel midsommar love child, but taking all of the charm and nuance out of both.
edit: i felt like this book was more focused on being morbid and disgusting than anything. i wish that there was more focus on the theme of religion, because even though it was the driving force for most of the characters, we really don't get much. and not in cool, shrouded in mystery kind of way.
also, the misunderstanding trope that takes up almost the entire final act of the novel? extremely irritating. and then that ending... everyone just dies, and marek presumably throws the baby off a cliff? what a waste.
edit: i felt like this book was more focused on being morbid and disgusting than anything. i wish that there was more focus on the theme of religion, because even though it was the driving force for most of the characters, we really don't get much. and not in cool, shrouded in mystery kind of way.
also, the misunderstanding trope that takes up almost the entire final act of the novel? extremely irritating. and then that ending... everyone just dies, and marek presumably throws the baby off a cliff? what a waste.
arrittlexiedwards's review against another edition
DNF'd - was weird but in a bad way. I got real close to finishing and decided not to but am still shelving it because of the time I spent reading it
humblebee20's review against another edition
5.0
This book was something sitting on my shelf for a while that I finally picked up and I am so glad I did. This feels like a divine tragedy in all the best ways. You see these pieces put side by side and watch as it all falls into place. Everything has a purpose and place and you watch the car crash happen in slow motion. This book feels like what "Of Mice and Men" was supposed to feel like. It is dark and gritty and sad, but I could not stop reading. As someone who has never seen GoT, I hope it's remotely like this.
ellamoody's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
seraphiina's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely adored this novel. It was also probably one of the most disgusting novels I have ever read - but in a way that felt natural to the universe and its inner logic, and not just for cheap shock value. It inspired feelings of awe, discomfort and wonder to explore Lapvona and all its depravities. Each character more conflicted and awful than the next, each event making me want to gag a bit while reading it. But I absolutely loved it. I felt like I could imagine the looks of not just the characters, but also Lapvona itself. After finishing it, I felt like I could imagine the church, the lake, the manor.. Truly a treat from Moshfegh.
ofdogwood's review against another edition
3.0
★★★☆☆ 3.8 out of 5
boy, was this hard to stomach at times! i’ll be truthful i took a whole star off for that. with rape and incest, you really couldn’t get much worse. the religiousness of this all, seeing each character’s interpretation of what they have been indoctrinated into knowing from their elders or the church. everyone had strikingly different opinions on god despite all being lapvonians. watching the downfall of many during christmas. you know those parts of the book where your heart starts racing just because you KNOW it’s the climax? yeah. that’s how the entire “winter” chapter felt.
watching marek slowly change after being pulled into the world of high class living was also great, to see his privilege grow and learn the opinions that others around him felt. he went from doing things specifically to piss off jude so that he’d be beat for god to pity him to well…
grigor was boring. sorry your grandkids died or whatever but i didn’t like him or his name.
boy, was this hard to stomach at times! i’ll be truthful i took a whole star off for that. with rape and incest, you really couldn’t get much worse. the religiousness of this all, seeing each character’s interpretation of what they have been indoctrinated into knowing from their elders or the church. everyone had strikingly different opinions on god despite all being lapvonians. watching the downfall of many during christmas. you know those parts of the book where your heart starts racing just because you KNOW it’s the climax? yeah. that’s how the entire “winter” chapter felt.
watching marek slowly change after being pulled into the world of high class living was also great, to see his privilege grow and learn the opinions that others around him felt. he went from doing things specifically to piss off jude so that he’d be beat for god to pity him to well…
grigor was boring. sorry your grandkids died or whatever but i didn’t like him or his name.