Reviews

Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk

phlegmie's review against another edition

5.0

It is a struggle to come to terms with the interconnectedness of all things in the universe because it is fatalistic. It undermines agency and free will. I agree with the premise of this book, most especially how respect given to an individual is determined by their utilitarian purpose, what is gained from them.

I honestly think that it doesn’t matter whether the ends here justify the means but one thing’s for sure is that vigilantism is fundamentally a critique of the justice system.

This was my second Tokarczuk (SUPER LOVED FLIGHTS) and she did not disappoint!

sannedarks's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense 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? No

4.75

egle_va's review against another edition

mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

“…I realized that sorrow is an important word for defining the world. It lies at the foundations of everything, it is the fifth element, the quintessence.”

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Violence, Death, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, Animal cruelty, and Grief

philolulu's review against another edition

challenging dark funny mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

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

4.25

achurxh's review against another edition

challenging funny informative mysterious slow-paced

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

2.5

mimsen's review against another edition

3.0

Took me almost the first 100 pages to get into it, maybe because I expected something different? I thought this would be way more crime and thriller and suspense. Maybe I am weird, but I found this at parts surprisingly wholesome? There were lots of parts about found family and outsiders sticking together and supporting each other. Which was kinda nice, but I was there for the crime and thriller and suspense - like, the plottwist wasn't a plottwist at all for me, what else could have happend?

stellarkestrel's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

The main character is certainly interesting. A bit of meandering philosophy. Added .25 stars for the marvelous inclusion of fieldfare defensive strategy. 

lizzycaitlin's review against another edition

medium-paced

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

3.5

burdasnest's review

challenging dark funny mysterious slow-paced

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

4.0

Odd, but pleasantly so. A little unnerving to read and definitely not for people who dislike unreliable narrators. But certainly a new take for fans who like old ladies involving themselves in murder investigations because of their oft ignored status.

For people who are put off in the first 20%, I’d say it’s short enough and worth it to stick it out.

theodarling's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

I do not have words to express how good this is and how much it means to me.