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A review by flamingokrysten
The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock
4.0
This book isn’t one of those feel good types that you can feel satisfied and content after reading. This book is rough and raw, it’s ugly and gritty, but so worth the read.
I thoroughly appreciated the detailed and thoughtful way in which each character, even just a passing character, was written. The way in which even the most minor character got at least a page about them and it was just enough to understand who they were (despite the fact that no character was truly minor and they all played a big role in the plot).
The writing is very simple and fast, but the author packs a lot of detail and imagery into each sentence, no matter how simple. I could completely visualize everyone and everything.
I did not appreciate the way in which women were discussed in this book and, if I had it my way, that would’ve been different. This being said, even though I found the way in which women were talked about as disgusting, it was needed for the most part. Some parts I think were just there to be there, but I think a lot of it added to the uncomfortable and rough atmosphere and tone.
I would also argue that Charlotte and Emma were the only ones not described in a sexual or objectified manner and I think that’s significant, especially when compared to how Sandy was talked about. I think that plays into how they were all viewed by everyone else around them. Emma and Charlotte were often described by the narrator, as well as viewed by Arvin and Willard, in a loving and almost angelic way. While Sandy was viewed exclusively by her sex, usefulness, and how that could benefit everyone else. Just something to think about, I guess.
Lastly, I liked how everything came full circle in the end. How everyone was connected in the beginning and the end. While I don’t feel that satisfaction I normally feel when reading a lighter more “feel good” story, the interconnected characters and storyline brought a great sense of completeness and closure.
I really enjoyed this book and, as I watched the movie first, added a lot of needed context and backstory.
I thoroughly appreciated the detailed and thoughtful way in which each character, even just a passing character, was written. The way in which even the most minor character got at least a page about them and it was just enough to understand who they were (despite the fact that no character was truly minor and they all played a big role in the plot).
The writing is very simple and fast, but the author packs a lot of detail and imagery into each sentence, no matter how simple. I could completely visualize everyone and everything.
I did not appreciate the way in which women were discussed in this book and, if I had it my way, that would’ve been different. This being said, even though I found the way in which women were talked about as disgusting, it was needed for the most part. Some parts I think were just there to be there, but I think a lot of it added to the uncomfortable and rough atmosphere and tone.
I would also argue that Charlotte and Emma were the only ones not described in a sexual or objectified manner and I think that’s significant, especially when compared to how Sandy was talked about. I think that plays into how they were all viewed by everyone else around them. Emma and Charlotte were often described by the narrator, as well as viewed by Arvin and Willard, in a loving and almost angelic way. While Sandy was viewed exclusively by her sex, usefulness, and how that could benefit everyone else. Just something to think about, I guess.
Lastly, I liked how everything came full circle in the end. How everyone was connected in the beginning and the end. While I don’t feel that satisfaction I normally feel when reading a lighter more “feel good” story, the interconnected characters and storyline brought a great sense of completeness and closure.
I really enjoyed this book and, as I watched the movie first, added a lot of needed context and backstory.