Reviews with content warning for Death - Open Throat

Reviews tagging 'Death'

Open Throat by Henry Hoke

17 reviews

krisowa's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

alligatortoast's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional funny reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

This was an interesting read for sure, with a very unique premise and writing style. The book is from the perspective of a mountain lion, with long run on sentences with no punctuation throughout the entire novel. There's no paragraphs, so you'll be flying through the pages; you could easily finish this book in one sitting. I will say though, the description of this book is wildly misleading. The blurb describes the main character as a "queer" mountain lion and leads you to believe this will be a main theme of the book, but it simply isn't. The only things queer about it are

a scene where the lion witnesses two men having sex in a cave, or as he calls it, "connecting." He then reflects on a male mountain lion from his past that he would have liked to "connect" with in this way. Also later in the book he is taken in by a girl who names him "Heckit" and refers to him as "her" and "goddess", even after discovering he's male. The lion just goes with it, but I never read it as him exploring his gender identity. So labeling this as a queer or lgbtqia+ story seems like a stretch and then some.

Besides that, I really enjoyed the story for what it was. It was an ambitious undertaking, and I think in some ways it succeeded, but it also left much to be desired. It has some good commentary on homelessness, human nature, and other topics, but it never gets too deep or preachy. It's funny, it's unique, and it's sad. If you're looking for a happy book, this is not it. Without spoiling anything,

you find out at the end of the book what the title means. And once you do it seems obvious.

Overall, it was a fast, fun read. One that I would pick up again for sure. I got this from the library but am considering buying it for myself when the price goes down. If you're curious about it, I say pick it up!

Content Warnings

hannahrogers's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
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

4.0

Content Warnings

scifi_rat's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

Plot: 4★
Prose: 5★
Pace: 4.5★
Concept/Execution: 4.5★/5★
Characters: 5★
Worldbuilding: 5★
Ending: 4★

Content Warnings

pigeon_'s review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.75

Content Warnings

emtay's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark funny reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It’s a terrible choice but I’m making it - like a person… I retract my claws and try to become the kitten at the center of myself” (154-156)

Not prose but verse. I believe the central tenant of poetry is personal or collective expression in the face of the inadequacy of language; Hecate (“heckit”) embodies this by slowly adapting and butchering human English, by continuing to try to express, and Hoke’s form follows.

The subtlety of examples allow me to see the LA I know. To hate it. But to deeply recognize my home in it. Not unlike Hecate.

Surprisingly emotional, intuitive, and clever while being read in a single sitting. Recommended by Rebecca.

Content Warnings

mals_reads's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes

This is something I never expected to read or to enjoy — but I did! An ARC was sent to me at the bookstore I work at, and I’m so grateful it came to me.

This is such a unique book and unique writing style that accompanies an emotional story told through the point of view of a queer mountain lion in Hollywood. An analogy for queerness and a fever dream of a story, this story has a universal message and covers topics from climate disaster to temptation to coming into one’s own. A gorgeous story.

Content Warnings

More...