A review by peter1rose
Paradise Rot by Jenny Hval

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

This book was odd. I think it's meant to be, but I almost don't know what the author wants me to take away from this. It takes on odd, dark, and grotesque look on sex and bodies that I wasn't really a fan of. I think this can be done well, but here it was just strange. There was a lot more piss than I was expecting and the comments on the Chinese woman were a bit racist. (Comparing her language to forks and other cutlery is pretty classic Asian racism akin to the 2000s humor but not meant to be humorous). I also thought the dialogue was a bit awkward even when it wasn't meant to be.

I also read "Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke" by Eric LaRocca which is similar in some ways to the themes of this book, but done a bit better (imo). Where this book shines through is having very consistent themes and metaphors, as opposed to LaRocca's work which hopped between extremely grotesque rot and violence to themes of divinity.

I liked Francesca and wanted to know more about her.