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A review by adamyeti
Amygdalatropolis by Edia Connole, B.R. Yeager
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'm not sure that I can truly assign a star rating to this book...
Amygdalatropolis opens with a 32 page introduction consisting of lessons in the philosophy of Bataille and nihlism that briefly relates its teachings to the content of the story. For a 154 page book, this felt a bit self-indulgent and random. However, once I began reading the book, it began to make a bit more sense and provided some much needed context.
This is one of the most difficult books that I have read. Nothing is presented plainly, and there is not a clear story--at least at first. The book is written through three evenly dispersed "mediums," for lack of a better word. Two of which provide a stark contrast between nearly indecipherable prose and the simple slurs and language of chan boards, both philosophizing in their own ways at times. I found myself flipping back and forth between pages and re-reading previous passages as I began to connect sections from these mediums together. This is an area that I think would reward multiple read-throughs.
As far as the story itself goes, it follows our agoraphobic protagonist and his struggle to exist outside of his computer. This is really only told through one of the mediums, however. Much of the book seems to focus more on the makings of incels, chan culture, and other things that probably flew over my head. Unsurprisingly, this book features some very disturbing content, sometimes in detail and sometimes in passing. This is not a gruesome book, but it is certainly a troubling one. More so if you are familiar enough with chan culture to realize that this may as well be a true story.
The book overall reads like it is written by an alien who has only observed humans. Even the simplest of actions are described in the most bizarre manner possible. I think this is intended to make you feel detached and outside, much like our protagonist, but it greatly increased how actively I had to read.
The first one or two chapters are a good litmus test as to whether or not you will like this book. Frankly, I'm still not sure how much I liked it after reading the whole thing, but it was certainly an experience.
Amygdalatropolis opens with a 32 page introduction consisting of lessons in the philosophy of Bataille and nihlism that briefly relates its teachings to the content of the story. For a 154 page book, this felt a bit self-indulgent and random. However, once I began reading the book, it began to make a bit more sense and provided some much needed context.
This is one of the most difficult books that I have read. Nothing is presented plainly, and there is not a clear story--at least at first. The book is written through three evenly dispersed "mediums," for lack of a better word. Two of which provide a stark contrast between nearly indecipherable prose and the simple slurs and language of chan boards, both philosophizing in their own ways at times. I found myself flipping back and forth between pages and re-reading previous passages as I began to connect sections from these mediums together. This is an area that I think would reward multiple read-throughs.
As far as the story itself goes, it follows our agoraphobic protagonist and his struggle to exist outside of his computer. This is really only told through one of the mediums, however. Much of the book seems to focus more on the makings of incels, chan culture, and other things that probably flew over my head. Unsurprisingly, this book features some very disturbing content, sometimes in detail and sometimes in passing. This is not a gruesome book, but it is certainly a troubling one. More so if you are familiar enough with chan culture to realize that this may as well be a true story.
The book overall reads like it is written by an alien who has only observed humans. Even the simplest of actions are described in the most bizarre manner possible. I think this is intended to make you feel detached and outside, much like our protagonist, but it greatly increased how actively I had to read.
The first one or two chapters are a good litmus test as to whether or not you will like this book. Frankly, I'm still not sure how much I liked it after reading the whole thing, but it was certainly an experience.