mars2k 's review for:

Border State by Tõnu Õnnepalu

4.5

dark reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Border State is an intriguing little book. The evocative imagery conjures a world which is bleak yet beautiful. It’s almost gothic in places, reminiscent of Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart. We catch glimpses of narrative through the poetic haze, though even that seems to be distorted by contradictions and ambiguity. There’s a pervasive nihilism throughout which encompasses both philosophical existentialism and psychosis. It’s not for everyone but if you like kind-of-gothic literary fiction I’d definitely recommend it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual content

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, War, Classism

Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Animal death, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Rape, Terminal illness, Excrement, Police brutality, Grief, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Colonisation