seamoonstone's review against another edition
challenging
medium-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
3.5
I can't say I enjoyed reading this book, but I think that might be intentional–it would be repulsive to say I relate specifically to these characters, but I can say I've perhaps felt just as uncomfortable and lost as these characters. The narrators, regardless of age, are all similarly naive and whimsical, often perfectly capturing that feeling of adolescence when you realize you truly don't know what's going on. This would be enjoyable, maybe even cathartic, except that many of these stories are sex obsessed in an uncomfortable, even perverse, way, implying that the only way to connect with other people is through sex, but the sex is always transactional and exploitative. The stories that are not explicitly sexual are akin to an odd coworker describing their dream in detail to you when you just want to drink your coffee in peace. In spite of all this, July is a talented writer, and the stories or moments that did not rely on taboo were beautiful and charming.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest and Pedophilia
sometimesireadsometimesidont's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
2.75
Thus was a tough read. The content has topics that I usually stay away from as I prefer to read for enjoyment. The authors writing and my curiosity kept me reading. It the stories were longer I doubt I would have kept reading.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Mental illness, Sexual content, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Pedophilia, and Stalking
hal_stelzle's review against another edition
2.0
Some stories in this I really liked (first 2, Something that Needs Nothing, This Person) but many were not for me and went too off the rails too often (and usually in a similar way). Was expecting this to be funnier all the way through as well, but truly most of the stories are quite sad, strange, and uncomfortable. Sad and strange isn't always a bad thing but not what I was expecting and not my favorite. Definitely check content warnings before reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Incest, and Sexual content
merebear87's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Child abuse, Incest, and Pedophilia
briannasam's review against another edition
medium-paced
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Incest and Adult/minor relationship
maekay's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.25
Short story collections tend to have a few great stories, a few bad ones, and a lot of meh ones. This collection has two good ones and the rest was a flaming pile of uncomfortable sh*t. The few gems in this collection can't save it from the blatant attempt at provocation/edgy-ness that relies on borderline incest, ephebophilia, exclusively abusive queer relationships, and Asian racism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Stalking, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Incest
Minor: Animal death
marrrk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, and Incest
sofilduarte's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Pedophilia
Minor: Child abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
geneebee's review against another edition
This book was extremely unsettling. I don’t understand the hype around it. It was disturbing and I read a lot of disturbing books. I actually dreaded reading the book at times and had to put it down several times. I almost made it to the end too but couldn’t do it anymore. I would suggest checking content warnings before you read the book if you have certain triggers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, and Pedophilia