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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
dark
sad
fast-paced
Four people destroy themselves with drugs, because they aren't wise enough not to.
On the one hand, I've never seen stream of consciousness work better than this. You're in these people's heads.
On the other hand, I've never romanticized drug culture, so this book doesn't undermine my romanticizing of drug culture, so...whatever?
The real thing that knocked a star off, though, is probably what sets this book apart from others in the same genre: the character of Sara. It was a caricature, a satire, a mockery of someone with serious mental issues. The word she keeps saying is "zaftig." It means having a full, rounded figure, plumpness. A whole book where the author makes fun of his character for not recognizing a vocabulary word--a word that he chose, and that he chose not to have anyone explain to her--is a book founded on contempt.
Which turned the plot into:
Four people destroy themselves with drugs, because the author said so.
Four stars for technique.
On the one hand, I've never seen stream of consciousness work better than this. You're in these people's heads.
On the other hand, I've never romanticized drug culture, so this book doesn't undermine my romanticizing of drug culture, so...whatever?
The real thing that knocked a star off, though, is probably what sets this book apart from others in the same genre: the character of Sara. It was a caricature, a satire, a mockery of someone with serious mental issues. The word she keeps saying is "zaftig." It means having a full, rounded figure, plumpness. A whole book where the author makes fun of his character for not recognizing a vocabulary word--a word that he chose, and that he chose not to have anyone explain to her--is a book founded on contempt.
Which turned the plot into:
Four people destroy themselves with drugs, because the author said so.
Four stars for technique.
5/5
When the American dream becomes a nightmare. The book is just as bleak as the movie, but the book spends a lot more time showing the slow descent into desperation. The words burn off the page. There's no closure, no reconciliation, not even acceptance. Each character speaks differently and you have to get used to their way of speaking as Selby Jr. doesn't use punctuation marks or end sentences with “Harry replied” or “Marian said.” Addiction is the villain here, and just like in the movie it’s Sarah Goldfarb’s addiction to TV, pharmaceuticals, and the past that is most horrifying.
When the American dream becomes a nightmare. The book is just as bleak as the movie, but the book spends a lot more time showing the slow descent into desperation. The words burn off the page. There's no closure, no reconciliation, not even acceptance. Each character speaks differently and you have to get used to their way of speaking as Selby Jr. doesn't use punctuation marks or end sentences with “Harry replied” or “Marian said.” Addiction is the villain here, and just like in the movie it’s Sarah Goldfarb’s addiction to TV, pharmaceuticals, and the past that is most horrifying.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
sad
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx1fv5q7Wiw Gustav Mahler - Kindertotenlieder
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Decided to reread one of my favorite books from high school and it’s even more depressing than I remember! Dark, hopeless, despair. A very raw and real depiction of addiction. Don’t read this if you’re looking for a happy ending. Challenging read both in content and prose.
challenging
dark
sad
medium-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