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A review by racl
Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z. Brite
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
It's not an easy read, and not one I can recommend to many people in good conscience. It's graphic in many ways - gore, sex, disease, anger - all of which is beautifully and carefully written. Each character feels distinct and well formed as they enter the story and begin to intertwine with each other throughout the novel. I didn't know much going in, but I enjoyed the reality and different perspectives of gay men dealing with the AIDS epidemic (and how it wasn't the motive for either of the murderers). I felt it was handled well.
Graphic: Addiction, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Kidnapping, Death, Drug use, Rape, Sexual content, Gore, Grief, Abandonment, Cannibalism, Alcohol, Blood, Confinement, Terminal illness, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Excrement, Vomit, Cancer, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Incest, Police brutality, Hate crime, Misogyny, and Pandemic/Epidemic