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A review by devin_raquel
Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z. Brite
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Sadly, I was disappointed with this book; the TikTok hype is just not worth it in my opinion.
Yes, there was cannibalism. Yes, there was necrophiliac scenes. Yes, there was plenty of detailed gore. But I found the characters flat and the switching between POVs irrelevant. I think the story could’ve been told entirely from Andrew Comptons’ POV, and the readers would’ve gotten the same experience.
As much as I love a dark and bloody story, this one just didn’t do it for me. The only saving grace was Brites’ exquisite imagery and descriptions; she made even the most horrible acts sound beautiful.
Yes, there was cannibalism. Yes, there was necrophiliac scenes. Yes, there was plenty of detailed gore. But I found the characters flat and the switching between POVs irrelevant. I think the story could’ve been told entirely from Andrew Comptons’ POV, and the readers would’ve gotten the same experience.
As much as I love a dark and bloody story, this one just didn’t do it for me. The only saving grace was Brites’ exquisite imagery and descriptions; she made even the most horrible acts sound beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual content, Suicide, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Drug use, Racism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, and Racial slurs