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lgiery's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
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? No
4.0
Disorienting. Dedicated to "the forgotten who have been worked to death," the book serves as a dark critique of late-stage capitalism, American work-culture, and perhaps American society and values in general. The book explores many uncomfortable truths about a nation that often puts value in the wrong place.
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, and Emotional abuse
slefebvre95's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.75
Graphic: Child death, Car accident, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Grief, and Dementia
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Blood, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Sexism
jazhandz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
One of those books where I finished and immediately tried to get people to read it so we could discuss, because it does some things so well and others so poorly. I was really delighted by Jonathan Abernathy himself, a quintessential dude who sucks but doesn’t realize it. The writing style was fascinating; I don’t normally go in for narration that does the “little did he know things would get worse” thing but it’s used well here.
Graphic: Body horror and Child death
Moderate: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Classism
It’s not quite gaslighting, but there is an awful lot of manipulation.emzjams's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Have you ever been used by capitalism under the guise of opportunity?
Jonathan Abernathy is a down-on-his-luck, 25-year-old "failure". He's never held a real job and is barely getting by, living with the constant, crushing reminder of student loan debt and (illegally - unbeknownst to him) inherited debt from his parent's deaths that he cannot pay.
He gets an offer from a government loan forgiveness program to work as he sleeps, auditing the dreams of the working class and marking any "unsavory bits" that may interfere with their ability to work.
He has certain affirmations that he tells himself, while not really believing it, that get him through the day-
Jonathan Abernathy,
You are kind.
You are loved.
You are a valued member of this community.
While things seem to be looking up for him -his relationship with his neighbor, the enigmatic Rhoda, is blossoming- the dream auditor position is proving to be something far more sinister than he could've imagined.
As his reality begins to shift around him he finds that he's losing more than he's gaining, and the further he moves up the corporate ladder, the more there is at stake.
This was truly a gem. Surreal, lovely, and a bit gruesome at times, it felt very <i>Sorry To Bother You</i>-esque. Abernathy is likable, yet realistic. He makes bad decisions, feels sorry for himself more often than not, doesn't say what he knows he should, yet constantly imagines the outcome of the unsaid words. I found myself consistently interested in his story throughout, it felt fresh; something I haven't been getting lately. It never felt predictable, and while it gets a bit sporadic, I think it added to the overall sense of dread and loss of reality. I could see myself rereading this, I really enjoyed it!
The narrator for the audiobook was amazing, really made it come alive.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for early access to this audiobook! Now available as of Oct. 31, 2023.
Jonathan Abernathy is a down-on-his-luck, 25-year-old "failure". He's never held a real job and is barely getting by, living with the constant, crushing reminder of student loan debt and (illegally - unbeknownst to him) inherited debt from his parent's deaths that he cannot pay.
He gets an offer from a government loan forgiveness program to work as he sleeps, auditing the dreams of the working class and marking any "unsavory bits" that may interfere with their ability to work.
He has certain affirmations that he tells himself, while not really believing it, that get him through the day-
Jonathan Abernathy,
You are kind.
You are loved.
You are a valued member of this community.
While things seem to be looking up for him -his relationship with his neighbor, the enigmatic Rhoda, is blossoming- the dream auditor position is proving to be something far more sinister than he could've imagined.
As his reality begins to shift around him he finds that he's losing more than he's gaining, and the further he moves up the corporate ladder, the more there is at stake.
This was truly a gem. Surreal, lovely, and a bit gruesome at times, it felt very <i>Sorry To Bother You</i>-esque. Abernathy is likable, yet realistic. He makes bad decisions, feels sorry for himself more often than not, doesn't say what he knows he should, yet constantly imagines the outcome of the unsaid words. I found myself consistently interested in his story throughout, it felt fresh; something I haven't been getting lately. It never felt predictable, and while it gets a bit sporadic, I think it added to the overall sense of dread and loss of reality. I could see myself rereading this, I really enjoyed it!
The narrator for the audiobook was amazing, really made it come alive.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for early access to this audiobook! Now available as of Oct. 31, 2023.
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Minor: Kidnapping
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