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estark16's review against another edition
5.0
This retelling of [a:Edgar Allan Poe|4624490|Edgar Allan Poe|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1454522972p2/4624490.jpg]'s [b:William Wilson|6798492|William Wilson|Edgar Allan Poe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1334188359l/6798492._SY75_.jpg|2189650] was an interesting read and I have to say, Namwali Serpell did a superb job re-imagining this. As a Poe-junkie, I really appreciated this.
Great ending to a really interesting Amazon collection. I love these and I definitely found some new authors to check out.
Great ending to a really interesting Amazon collection. I love these and I definitely found some new authors to check out.
spyralnode's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
3.0
While I haven't read the original by Edgar Allan Poe, this story is about a black man tormented by his doppelganger. From the books I've read it reminded me actually of Dostoyevski's 'The Double' - while the stakes are different, stealing the person's job and loved one, it escalates in a similar way.
In this story, Will Williams meets Will Williams in high school, and not only do they look similar, but they even share the same birthday and their appearance is very similar. He is initially accused of petty crimes, increasing in violence, and while initially he tries to understand the other character's motivation, it descends into hate and terror.
It didn't affect me as much as 'The Double', because the length doesn't explore the psychology of the doubt and the imbalance in much the same way, but it was interesting to see this plotline with the victim from a disadvantaged community.
In this story, Will Williams meets Will Williams in high school, and not only do they look similar, but they even share the same birthday and their appearance is very similar. He is initially accused of petty crimes, increasing in violence, and while initially he tries to understand the other character's motivation, it descends into hate and terror.
It didn't affect me as much as 'The Double', because the length doesn't explore the psychology of the doubt and the imbalance in much the same way, but it was interesting to see this plotline with the victim from a disadvantaged community.
taniabotes's review against another edition
4.0
Another novella forming part of the Disorder collection, which explores a world losing its balance. I listened to this one and the narrator, JD Jackson, did a phenomenal job and took the experience to a whole other level.
People either seem to love or hate this short, and I think this is because it depends on how you interpret the story. I don't mind the ending being open, but would have liked this one to be a bit longer.
I have read [b:The Old Drift|46364052|The Old Drift|Namwali Serpell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1575301407l/46364052._SY75_.jpg|62092123] by same author and she can definitely write!
People either seem to love or hate this short, and I think this is because it depends on how you interpret the story.
Spoiler
Is this a story about an evil doppelganger, or someone being haunted by his split personality? I personally think the latter.I have read [b:The Old Drift|46364052|The Old Drift|Namwali Serpell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1575301407l/46364052._SY75_.jpg|62092123] by same author and she can definitely write!
tak's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
3.0
hkgoldst's review against another edition
I know it’s really short, but does that have to mean no conclusion?
samanthabryant's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't find out until after I read this that it was a retelling of an Edgar Allan Poe story, but I definitely felt the influence all the same: that sense of paranoia, that doubt as to whether your narrator was reliable or not. Very Poe.
This is my favorite so far of the Disordered series (I've read 4 of them). I'm not going to tell you much about it in this review, because I think the less you know going in, the more you will enjoy it. But I highly recommend it!
This is my favorite so far of the Disordered series (I've read 4 of them). I'm not going to tell you much about it in this review, because I think the less you know going in, the more you will enjoy it. But I highly recommend it!
f18's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Minor: Ableism, Alcohol, Biphobia, Excrement, Racial slurs, Vomit, Sexism, and Racism