burnoutbooks's reviews
140 reviews

The Godfather by Mario Puzo

dark tense medium-paced

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

i get why people love this franchise so much - immersive plot masterfully executed

i am simultaneously proud to be sicilian and deterred by the vicious racism and misogyny

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, and Murder

Sister, Maiden, Monster by Lucy A. Snyder

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

disgusting, gripping, weird! perspectives from three intertwined women narrators of the end of the world

Catholicism, eldritch gods, body horror

Self Care by Leigh Stein

funny fast-paced

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

4.5

this is so on-the-nose it’s incredible

my only qualm is that i wanted a little more character development to develop that final scene

maren needed to be fired and khadijah DESERVES that promotion, but i feel like we needed one more scene to build credibility in devin

leigh has such a firm grasp on coming of age online and it was such a fun read!!

Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

incredible perfect no notes instant all-time favorite 

the vegetarian meets death in her hands

motifs include astrology, veganism, the importance of names

The Last Days of Judas Iscariot: A Play by Stephen Adly Guirgis

funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

really enjoyable in many ways but jarring slurs and caricatures make it unrateable for me

gurgis raises really interesting questions about salvation and forgiveness and Christianity

i think it would be amazing to see it staged, it’s worth reading and engaging with, im excited to read critics responses to it historically, and i will read it again

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny and Racism

Hit Parade of Tears by Izumi Suzuki

5.0

Terminal Boredom by Izumi Suzuki

dark

5.0

Death in Her Hands by Ottessa Moshfegh

challenging dark tense medium-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

2.5

rare that i finish a book and rate it this low - it was intriguing and engaging for the vast majority of the book. however, i got no resolution beyond the vague implications that permeate the book from page one. 

also, minus a star for graphic animal death for NO DISCERNABLE REASON and minus another star for the jarring and hateful descriptions of fatness?? it’s so weird and a consistent thread in her writing 

Sympathetic Beasts by Lucas Jacob

inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced

5.0

In the House in the Dark of the Woods by Laird Hunt

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.25