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laurenleigh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
If I had to pick one word to describe this novel, it’d be “weird.” It’s a kind of weird that, as the first chapter title suggests, makes you pay attention. Why are all these random words capitalized? Where are we? Who is this narrator? Some questions get answered, but plenty do not. It was overall a very unique experience, unlike anything else I’ve ever read. Though it wasn’t exactly my cup of tea, I totally understand why it’s won so many awards. The murder mystery plot line seems to be highlighted in many reviews, but I think that part of the story is by far secondary to the heart of the novel. The brilliance of Tokarczuk is in how she meticulously highlights and expands upon the unspoken but important tiny details of life, aging, and nature. She finds these moments or emotions that we all experience and hits the exact right words to describe them, again in a totally singular fashion. My favorite observation of hers was of “Anger.” How it sparks a blaze within that immediately brightens a path and makes everything seem crystal clear, but then when it burns out, you’re left with a cold void which grief or sadness almost inevitably fills. If you’re in the mood for something completely different, pick this up!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism and Blood
Minor: Vomit and Violence
carissa230's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Janina lives in the woods. She likes to be surrounded by animals and nature. When her neighbor, Big Foot, dies choking on a bone, she is convinced there is more to it. As the bodies start to pile up Janina is convinced that the animals that have been hunted by these victims are getting their revenge.
This book started slow so and I almost DNF'd. At about the 50% mark it started to pick up, but the last 15% was good.
This book started slow so and I almost DNF'd. At about the 50% mark it started to pick up, but the last 15% was good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Murder, and Blood
astridrv's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Favourite read of the year so far, but why? The writing really worked for me: it is restrained, composed, philosophical without being preachy, ambiguous without being too ambitious, funny without being too obvious. The tone, rhythm and narrative construction are extremely fine tuned. The cast of characters is entirely believable, and despite how far away from me they are (in every aspect), they felt familiar and present. And the theme! Un régal.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Alcoholism, Blood, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, and Murder
ssreadsintranslation's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Murder
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Vomit
mostlymusings's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Murder, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Minor: Fatphobia
sneako's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Confinement, Death, Grief, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, and Violence
bodiesinbooks's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Death, Grief, and Violence
nadia's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
I'm really loving all of these quirky reads I'm discovering during my current translated fiction run and this one is no exception.
Janina Duszejko, our older woman protagonist, who loves animals and astrology and lives in a remote Polish village where grisly things start happening, was such a great narrator. The translation by Antonia Lloyd-Jones was fantastic also — especially as translation is itself a key theme in this book.
If you're looking for a dark, intriguing, unconventional thriller, pick this one up for sure!
Janina Duszejko, our older woman protagonist, who loves animals and astrology and lives in a remote Polish village where grisly things start happening, was such a great narrator. The translation by Antonia Lloyd-Jones was fantastic also — especially as translation is itself a key theme in this book.
If you're looking for a dark, intriguing, unconventional thriller, pick this one up for sure!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Death, and Blood
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