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A review by zoe_macgechan
The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things: Stories by J.T. LeRoy
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Such an incredibly difficult book to read and review. It would have been interesting to come across this book without knowing its background (if you don't know it, read and then look it up), but knowing what I do made the graphic abuse scenes even harder to read. What kind of a mind makes these things up? Did she make them up...?
At points I considered giving up because the abuse is so distressing to read. I'm very much in favour of readers facing up to uncomfortable truths, but the perspectives at certain points were beyond discomfort. I couldn't give up though. The writing is incredible : despite the darkness and bleakness of the topic, it's incredibly compelling. Not for the faint of heart, but worthy of the adulation. I don't know enough to pass judgement on whether it's torture porn, but be warned.
At points I considered giving up because the abuse is so distressing to read. I'm very much in favour of readers facing up to uncomfortable truths, but the perspectives at certain points were beyond discomfort. I couldn't give up though. The writing is incredible : despite the darkness and bleakness of the topic, it's incredibly compelling. Not for the faint of heart, but worthy of the adulation. I don't know enough to pass judgement on whether it's torture porn, but be warned.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, and Violence
Apologies if I missed any content warnings.