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kelsmc's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Gaslighting, Xenophobia, Cultural appropriation, and Racism
Moderate: Stalking
Minor: Lesbophobia
annoyedhumanoid's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
the courtroom tableau was brilliantly executed, definitely my favorite part
the plot summary was so fucking promising, but i found the writing to be lacking. i feel like it addressed its heavy topics through regurgitations of already finished conversations, rather than playing out those conversations in real time, if that makes sense. i know it's supposed to be absurdist, but the plot was just off the rails at times. Vivian's character development was very good though, shout out to that. also, the audiobook narration was very bland
cover review: ★★★★½. the illustration is gorgeous, just not a fan of either the typeface or the color of the title and author's name
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Cultural appropriation, Xenophobia, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Violence, Alcohol, Rape, Trafficking, Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual violence, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Infidelity
Minor: Chronic illness, Sexual content, Lesbophobia, Ableism, Terminal illness, Vomit, Death, Drug abuse, Cancer, Homophobia, Mental illness, Cursing, Blood, Drug use, Outing, and Islamophobia
lindseyhall44's review
- 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
4.5
Disorientation is a satirical campus novel following Ingrid, a Taiwanese -American student, who discovers a secret while working on her dissertation, upending life as she knows it.
This book is incredibly smart in its plot formatting as well as narrative perspective, for as Ingrid discovers problematic behaviors -such as cultural appropriation and fetishization- in the corrupt academic setting, she also finds traces of these in her own life. The character development stemming from this is where really Chou shines, crafting a mindset of growth and change.
I whole heartedly recommend Disorientation as your next read, though as always, please check trigger warnings before picking it up!
Graphic: Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Drug abuse, Racism, Misogyny, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, and Sexism
Moderate: Colonisation, Lesbophobia, Suicide attempt, and Stalking
Minor: Islamophobia
ecn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The discussion of academia (specifically graduate studies) was VERY on the nose and had me angry the whole time. The treatment of the main character, her treatment of others, and how everyone interacts feels almost more like real life than reality does.
Didn’t realize until after I read it that it was satire (I know 🙃) but it just made everything more perfect. The lives we’re living right now feel so ridiculous and absurd that it feels satirical. Everything about this is real life AND not.
Loved this book and definitely got me out of my reading slump. So many complex themes - would be perfect for a book club.
Only “critique” is that the pacing felt off. Certain parts in the middle felt like they dragged on but the beginning and end were a rush.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Classism, Gaslighting, Lesbophobia, Racism, Slavery, Racial slurs, Colonisation, Mental illness, Police brutality, Hate crime, and Misogyny