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margozaldivar's reviews
31 reviews
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Eating disorder and Self harm
Things I Don't Want to Know by Deborah Levy
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Infidelity, and Suicide
The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love by bell hooks
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Violence
Bluets by Maggie Nelson
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh
dark
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ottessa Moshfegh continuously surprises her readers with the way she can be subversive, writing about the most unorthodox themes– whether it be about the self-destructive ways a woman practices to get through life in the early 2000s, or the intricacies of human behavior explored through a medieval fiefdom. In many ways, she constantly challenges literary norms with “novels that live in an amoral universe, past the political agenda described on social media” (Bookforum, June 2021).
Grotesque and raw, with an accurate portrayal of religious hypocrisy, Lapvona is a musing on the human condition. There is no plot. The novel is character-driven, which— at this point— is what is so special about Moshfegh’s books. You get to delve into the mind of the persona without a harness. As for the setting, the imagery of what happens in the fiefdom stays with the reader. There is no middle ground. Some scenes are funny, demoralizing, and unsettling all at once. In spite of the age-old themes, the novel is a new take on bigotry and how it brings out the ugliest parts in humans, especially when they are starved of love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Incest, Rape, Suicide, Torture, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Moderate: Body shaming
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Self harm
No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment