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A review by thogek
Future Skinny by Peter Rosch
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Future Skinny was definitely something different. A main character with the ironic combination of anorexia and food-calorie-powered precognitive abilities but very little control over his own life (and, of course, a few ruthless others who want to control and use him).
The integration of the character's anorexia/precog/bulimia state seemed well thought through and well described, although there are points where not everyone is going to want the description. (Warning: Detailed descriptions of a rapid gorge-feast meant to fuel a precog reading may not be for everyone.) The writing overall I thought was rather good, descriptive, and still easy to follow.
The story itself was arguably a bit thin, and the two-timeline style (the narrative and the prior interview transcripts) could be a little confusing to follow at times, specifically how the two related, or even which was before which for awhile there. And the final-scene ending struck me as odd: promising that it ain't over without really resolving anything, and a bit unclear what was going on during (which I think may have been partially intentional, but IMO should have been clearer by the end).
My rating is based on that mix: good original concept, good writing, awkward two-timeline usage, limited incomplete story. Overall, I kinda liked it, at least enough to wish that it went deeper and farther with the story.
The integration of the character's anorexia/precog/bulimia state seemed well thought through and well described, although there are points where not everyone is going to want the description. (Warning: Detailed descriptions of a rapid gorge-feast meant to fuel a precog reading may not be for everyone.) The writing overall I thought was rather good, descriptive, and still easy to follow.
The story itself was arguably a bit thin, and the two-timeline style (the narrative and the prior interview transcripts) could be a little confusing to follow at times, specifically how the two related, or even which was before which for awhile there. And the final-scene ending struck me as odd: promising that it ain't over without really resolving anything, and a bit unclear what was going on during (which I think may have been partially intentional, but IMO should have been clearer by the end).
My rating is based on that mix: good original concept, good writing, awkward two-timeline usage, limited incomplete story. Overall, I kinda liked it, at least enough to wish that it went deeper and farther with the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder