Scan barcode
ssn8's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
I’m a huge fan of David Cronenberg, so obviously I loved this book. I say “obviously” not because of some deep loyalty to the man - sure, I was excited, but he’s made movies I don’t like and books are such a different medium. No, I say “obviously” because this novel, like so much of his work, deals with sex and the body and surgery and technology and the affects of technology and a ton of other themes that I love when he tackles. I’ll be honest, the North Korea talk did lose me a bit, and while I loved the technical delves into the cameras used I also did kind of skim them, but these are minor complaints that ultimately work into the overall vibe of the book. And I loved that vibe.
I read 80% of this book in one day (in two sittings) so I’m sad I wasn’t able to finish it then, because man was I sucked in. This book REALLY feels like some of my favorite Cronenberg movies: confusing and weird and engaging and fun and off putting in the best way possible.
I read 80% of this book in one day (in two sittings) so I’m sad I wasn’t able to finish it then, because man was I sucked in. This book REALLY feels like some of my favorite Cronenberg movies: confusing and weird and engaging and fun and off putting in the best way possible.
goodnekovibes's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
trayslays's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
tibby's review
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Cannibalism, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Body horror
Moderate: Mental illness and Self harm
gizmokanread's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
katesmiles's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Body horror, and Cancer
moobys157's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.0
bumbledragonb's review against another edition
2.0
Consumed is the debut novel by director David Cronenberg. Once crowned King of Venereal Horror, Cronenberg seems to return to the roots of his early film career with this novel. This is not the current Cronenberg who has directed The Map to The Stars, but the Cronenberg of The Fly, Videodrome, eXistenZ and Scanners. The novel is not only about being consumed in the most literal sense, but also about being consumers. With gadgets being an object of fetish and obsession; iPhones being part of sex play. Photos of patients on the operating table decorating the walls of a restaurant. Cronenberg’s thesis is made quite clear throughout the book, with a couple of French philosopher characters acting as spokespeople.
Cronenberg delights in descriptions of deviant behaviours. His world is filled with an abundance of sexual encounters, self-mutilation, sexual diseases, psychopathology and cannibalism and the characters who inhabit it seem perfectly at home in it. Naomi and Nathan, writers, photographers, journalists and filmmakers (it is made quite clear that it is necessary to adapt and be a multimedia professional to thrive, a sentiment the might echo Cronenberg’s own experiences in the film industry) do not have any boundaries when it comes to getting emotionally and sexually involved with their subjects. There is no such thing as objective reporting and research and they are willing to offer their bodies in exchange for gaining trust and intimacy and having access to their research subjects.
For full review, please go to The Ballycumbers Review
Cronenberg delights in descriptions of deviant behaviours. His world is filled with an abundance of sexual encounters, self-mutilation, sexual diseases, psychopathology and cannibalism and the characters who inhabit it seem perfectly at home in it. Naomi and Nathan, writers, photographers, journalists and filmmakers (it is made quite clear that it is necessary to adapt and be a multimedia professional to thrive, a sentiment the might echo Cronenberg’s own experiences in the film industry) do not have any boundaries when it comes to getting emotionally and sexually involved with their subjects. There is no such thing as objective reporting and research and they are willing to offer their bodies in exchange for gaining trust and intimacy and having access to their research subjects.
For full review, please go to The Ballycumbers Review
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
1.0
I thought Consumed where very difficult to get into and enjoy the story. Hardly remember what it's about because nothing held my attention
to_be_read_by_fran's review
2.0
What the fuck was happening in this book. I thought i was in a fever dream for the entirety of the chapters. Did they actually murder her? Of course not they choose 3d renderings of her body. But did he actually die? Did the hearing aids have some sort of bomb thing that exploded if he left Tokyo. And so Celestine’s interpretation of the movie was right and it was actually Romme that made the film. What the fuck was happening?