A review by hannahlois
Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z. Brite

challenging dark sad fast-paced
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

For those considering  reading this book - if you are at all squeamish or sensitive to this subject matter (graphic depictions of death, murder, necrophilia, torture, rape) - do not pick this up. Don’t even attempt it.  The content warnings are there for a reason, pay attention to them.
Exquisite Corpse kind of feels like the book version of Requiem for a Dream. Requiem for a Dream is a masterpiece of a film, but I wouldn’t say it’s a “good” movie, not in the enjoyable sense. And it’s not one most people watch more than once as it’s a absolutely hellish piece of film making. Exquisite Corpse is a mean, nasty, and hellish piece of literature. I usually only give 4 or 5 stars to books I would read again. I do not think I will read this again, however, it is worthy of more than 3 stars. The searing prose is pitch perfect, and the author told a compelling story. You shouldn’t want to keep reading, but you do. They suck you in. You know you have to see how this all plays out, but you also know it’s not going to end well.  If you have the stomach for it, I do recommend this book.  
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