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A review by lawphenix
Hungerstone by Kat Dunn
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I have complicated feelings about this. There is a cathartic feeling to reading this book, in regards to the philosophy of killing hopes and ambitions for the sake of survival: I especially found a few lines of dialogue and narration to pierce me to the quick, and the novel is shot through with a sort of strained melancholy and foreboding, like the entire book is a slowly closing vice.
The environment of the characters' crumbling palatial home and the untrammelled wilderness in which they live is wonderfully described, and it only serves to underscore the sense of isolation of the characters, the way they've cut themselves off from the rest of the world in their pursuit of glory, riches or safety. Rather, the vast wilds the story is set in make a contrast to the careful facade of civility the characters use to mask their own cruelty, their own web of lies falling down around them.
However, I don't find this book empowering. I think as a study on repressed desires and how notions of feminity are used to cage and tame women, this is an excellent philosophical study.
But the main character is too much of a colonialist for me to cheer for her. Yes, she is a complex, clever character, and her conniving acts are a symptom of a society that has taught her to regard herself and others as tools.
indeed, there is a sense of relief from the simmering rage and frustration rushing through this book, specially because many of us have been subject to the social pressures the book mentions.
Yet even then, the ending left me feeling hollow: is that truly what Lenore's struggle with the cards she holds in life had been leading to? It felt too abrupt.
It was thematically appropriate, yes, and in keeping with the notions the book established prior, but... Is Lenore truly free? I'm not sure.
Lastly, as for Carmilla: she was more of a Socratic antithesis to Lenore than she was a character, I guess. Or rather, she was the manifestation of all of Lenore's outspoken wishes. This is good, but I find myself wishing she had more depth outside of acting as Lenore's gadfly.
Altogether a very fascinating book and a good read, with vivid descriptions and some interesting philosophical notions. This book just follows the original's wont towards abrupt endings.
The environment of the characters' crumbling palatial home and the untrammelled wilderness in which they live is wonderfully described, and it only serves to underscore the sense of isolation of the characters, the way they've cut themselves off from the rest of the world in their pursuit of glory, riches or safety. Rather, the vast wilds the story is set in make a contrast to the careful facade of civility the characters use to mask their own cruelty, their own web of lies falling down around them.
However, I don't find this book empowering. I think as a study on repressed desires and how notions of feminity are used to cage and tame women, this is an excellent philosophical study.
But the main character is too much of a colonialist for me to cheer for her. Yes, she is a complex, clever character, and her conniving acts are a symptom of a society that has taught her to regard herself and others as tools.
indeed, there is a sense of relief from the simmering rage and frustration rushing through this book, specially because many of us have been subject to the social pressures the book mentions.
Yet even then, the ending left me feeling hollow: is that truly what Lenore's struggle with the cards she holds in life had been leading to? It felt too abrupt.
It was thematically appropriate, yes, and in keeping with the notions the book established prior, but... Is Lenore truly free? I'm not sure.
Lastly, as for Carmilla: she was more of a Socratic antithesis to Lenore than she was a character, I guess. Or rather, she was the manifestation of all of Lenore's outspoken wishes. This is good, but I find myself wishing she had more depth outside of acting as Lenore's gadfly.
Altogether a very fascinating book and a good read, with vivid descriptions and some interesting philosophical notions. This book just follows the original's wont towards abrupt endings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Classism
Moderate: Infertility, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts