Reviews tagging 'Death'

Qualityland by Marc-Uwe Kling

5 reviews

cheye13's review

challenging funny reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

This book was a stunning breath of fresh air. It was comforting(?) to see this kind of commentary written in a published book. It makes me feel a little less insane and a little more hopeful that we can work to fix things.

This is wonderfully creative, written with in-world 'ads' to split up action and provide a shortcut for worldbuilding and context. "Qualityland" is expertly kept anonymous and widely applicable to the real world. I was impressed by the tonal balance between discussing hard-hitting, important topics while keeping the reading experience enjoyable and at times even hopeful, rather than falling down a rabbit hole of despair.

What I enjoyed the most was the nuance in the discussion of "AI" – in a setting where humans are increasingly automated and machines are increasingly humanized there was a lot of good commentary on art, machine learning, and humanity while avoiding slipping into luddism. There were also quite a number of historical interludes that taught me a lot about real history and development.

I could've done without the manic pixie dream girl, and I would've liked the main character to have a little more personality and/or drive aside from his One Mission, but overall I was simply so impressed to read a book like this.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Misogyny, Racism, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Bullying

Moderate: Death, Medical content, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, and Pregnancy

Minor: Ableism, Body shaming, Infidelity, Pedophilia, and Suicidal thoughts

portrayal of censorship, blackmail, jingoism/nationalism; denial of fascism, gov't erasure of holocaust

deetabz's review

challenging funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Xenophobia, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual content, Classism, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Racism, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, and Violence

Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Rape, and Antisemitism

jqmnew's review

challenging funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

While I understand that the book is making fun of current events especially surrounding sexism, racism, etc. I feel like it was using that fact to just be sexist, racist, etc. Also

The twist that Calliope was writing the book felt a little unoriginal and dissatisfying.

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexism, Hate crime, Sexual assault, Murder, Racism, Domestic abuse, Classism, and Cursing

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Alcoholism, Abortion, and Body shaming

kadyofbooks's review against another edition

funny reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual harassment

Minor: Death and Pedophilia

decembermagpie's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing

Minor: Suicide, Abandonment, Alcohol, Hate crime, and Death