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ttodd86's review against another edition
1.0
Although I enjoyed his book The Devil All the Time, this one was just not very good. A few of the stories individually are not bad, but a back-to-back-to-back series of depressing, violent, drug-fueled pieces with no redeeming characters just gets old. Also, not particularly well written either. For example: if something burns, there is a good chance it smells like popcorn.
freakforfiction's review against another edition
dark
fast-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
4.0
misskimlove's review against another edition
challenging
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
alexisreadingabook's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
ardelle's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
billymac1962's review against another edition
4.0
I'm glad it's over.
Knockemstiff is Donald Ray Pollock's first publication, comprising of
several vignettes of the residents of Knockemstiff, Ohio. This is a sad
place, populated by what can only be described as white trash hillbillies.
Drug use is rampant, as is deviant sexuality, and while I am in no way
a prude or naive in the ways of various intoxicants, by the time I
finished this collection I couldn't take any more. The best thing about
this reading experience was being able to put it down and appreciate
the richness of the life I have.
But, admittedly, the book is a series of train wrecks that you can hardly look away from. I mean, my God, Bactine??? Where does he get this stuff?
Pollock's method of engagement is by making the reader wonder what the hell he's going to come up with on the next page.
This collection is a tough one to recommend. It's very bleak, with little to no hope for these troubled souls. If you're prone to depression, or your life is in a tailspin, I'd say avoid it. If not, then dive in and vicariously live some lives of depravity and be thankful that you can pop back in to the real world at your leisure.
Personally speaking, I did enjoy the trips enough to give this four stars.
But I highly recommend reading [b:The Devil All the Time|10108463|The Devil All the Time|Donald Ray Pollock|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320561517s/10108463.jpg|15005760] first. This is also set in the same town, and with the same level of depravity, but brilliantly conceived. I'm so glad that my first visit to Knockemstiff was with that book: my depravity meter would have been burned out otherwise.
Knockemstiff is Donald Ray Pollock's first publication, comprising of
several vignettes of the residents of Knockemstiff, Ohio. This is a sad
place, populated by what can only be described as white trash hillbillies.
Drug use is rampant, as is deviant sexuality, and while I am in no way
a prude or naive in the ways of various intoxicants, by the time I
finished this collection I couldn't take any more. The best thing about
this reading experience was being able to put it down and appreciate
the richness of the life I have.
But, admittedly, the book is a series of train wrecks that you can hardly look away from. I mean, my God, Bactine??? Where does he get this stuff?
Pollock's method of engagement is by making the reader wonder what the hell he's going to come up with on the next page.
This collection is a tough one to recommend. It's very bleak, with little to no hope for these troubled souls. If you're prone to depression, or your life is in a tailspin, I'd say avoid it. If not, then dive in and vicariously live some lives of depravity and be thankful that you can pop back in to the real world at your leisure.
Personally speaking, I did enjoy the trips enough to give this four stars.
But I highly recommend reading [b:The Devil All the Time|10108463|The Devil All the Time|Donald Ray Pollock|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320561517s/10108463.jpg|15005760] first. This is also set in the same town, and with the same level of depravity, but brilliantly conceived. I'm so glad that my first visit to Knockemstiff was with that book: my depravity meter would have been burned out otherwise.
punkyjewster's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
alexandragporter's review against another edition
I’m not someone who can easily connect with stories quickly; short form is not for me i fear
maa_pix's review against another edition
5.0
Goodreads has many excellent reviews of this book already, so I won't go into detail. I'll only say this: Reading these stories is like standing on the edge of a cesspool of humanity. The world that Pollock writes about is dark, dark, dark. But he writes so damn well it's worth it to linger there for a while. At least for 200 pages or so.
Knockemstiff has put Pollock on my "must read" list.
Knockemstiff has put Pollock on my "must read" list.
murphyslaw09's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.0