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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An interesting and enjoyable read, though I have some lingering questions about the stance of the book on disability. Didn’t exactly stick the landing on the ending, but good overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Incest, Sexual assault
For a while I’ve been craving a really weird book tbh and this fit the bill!! I feel like I’ve been reading books recently that are billed as being fucked up and have been a bit disappointed w them - this one was sooooooo fucked up and dark and so I finally feel satiated and can go read something normal lol. If you’re looking for something balls to the wall insane would recommend
maybe I’ll read it another time but it was too hard to follow as an audiobook
I feel like I can only describe the book like a carnival ride: You know it's not a good idea and you instantly regret getting on, but the rusty cage is latched and the ride is moving. It's exhilarating with a sense of dread, but you know if you can make it you'll get a helluva story out of it.
This book was referenced in a post-humanist lit class I took years ago and has been on my to-read list ever since. Finally getting around to reading it, I was disappointed that Dunn relies on shock-value descriptions of 'otherness' based on ableism, fatphobia, and transphobia. The book centers on characters who carry pride in their 'freakishness'. However, the writing failed to develop these characters far beyond the stereotypes associated with the differences in their bodies and appearance. There are so many fascinating writers out there who incorporate the strange and surreal experiences of living in different bodies in a way that is thought-provoking, creative, and does not assume a reader who is cisgender, able-bodied, and thin. This book is not one of them.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
If this book was a movie, it would be the scariest, darkest film ever. It tells the tale of a carnival family where the parents purposely tried to make mutated children and then it goes out to a dark world of mutilation and things that should not be mentioned in a book review. While extremely creative and new, I do not think I am sadistic enough to love this book.
dark
Very compelling, and much sadder than I anticipated. Reminded me of Chuck Palahniuk’s books: kind of funny, kind of gross, kind of disturbing. Multi-dimensional characters that were easy to dislike but impossible to loathe. I look forward to rereading this and plan on gifting it to a few people.