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grizelybear's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-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
3.5
This was a disturbing and incredibly miserable read. There was no respite or reversal of circumstance at all. It was depraved and messed up through and through. The most horrifying thing is that some people probably do think this way and to be honest, after letting this book sink into me for a while, I'm actually feeling chilled and a little terrified.
I'm rating this a 3.5 because this was not an enjoyable book, but in terms of what it wanted to achieve, which was apparently to take us into the mind of a fucked up degenerate, it definitely succeeded in all fronts. This was an uncanny (and disturbing) character study, and for that, I do salute the author.
I'm rating this a 3.5 because this was not an enjoyable book, but in terms of what it wanted to achieve, which was apparently to take us into the mind of a fucked up degenerate, it definitely succeeded in all fronts. This was an uncanny (and disturbing) character study, and for that, I do salute the author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, and Sexual assault
gavinsko's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Rape, Torture, and Murder
mahmoud_radi's review against another edition
4.0
اختيار قرائي تزامن مع عيد الهالووين، وكان نعم الاختيار.
كان لقائي اﻷول مع الكاتبة اﻷمريكية جويس كارول أوتس في مجموعتها القصصية (اﻷنثى كنوع) منذ سنوات عديدة لقاء فارقًا وصادمًا، إنها كاتبة لا تشيح بوجهها بعيدًا عن فظائع اﻹنسان وجوانبه المظلمة، بل تغول فيها بلا وجل ولا خوف، بل تشعر في بعض اﻷحيان أنها ترقص معها الفالس بكل أريحية.
في روايتها (زومبي)، لا تتواني أوتس لطرفة عين ولا تلين عن هذه المواجهة، تستنطق أبشع وأشنع جوانب اﻹنسان ظلمة من قلب أشد اﻷناس اعتيادية ممن نقابلهم كل يوم، فقد يكون بطل هكذا رواية جارك في المسكن، أو الجالس قبالتك في العمل، أو المجاور إياك في الباص في الصباح. الرواية تدلل من جديد على عدم وجود سقف يحد الشر، ولا منتهى لما قد يرغب فيه اﻹنسان ولا عائق أمام تحقيقه.
كان لقائي اﻷول مع الكاتبة اﻷمريكية جويس كارول أوتس في مجموعتها القصصية (اﻷنثى كنوع) منذ سنوات عديدة لقاء فارقًا وصادمًا، إنها كاتبة لا تشيح بوجهها بعيدًا عن فظائع اﻹنسان وجوانبه المظلمة، بل تغول فيها بلا وجل ولا خوف، بل تشعر في بعض اﻷحيان أنها ترقص معها الفالس بكل أريحية.
في روايتها (زومبي)، لا تتواني أوتس لطرفة عين ولا تلين عن هذه المواجهة، تستنطق أبشع وأشنع جوانب اﻹنسان ظلمة من قلب أشد اﻷناس اعتيادية ممن نقابلهم كل يوم، فقد يكون بطل هكذا رواية جارك في المسكن، أو الجالس قبالتك في العمل، أو المجاور إياك في الباص في الصباح. الرواية تدلل من جديد على عدم وجود سقف يحد الشر، ولا منتهى لما قد يرغب فيه اﻹنسان ولا عائق أمام تحقيقه.
ridiqlous's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-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
3.5
Disturbing novel from the view of a serial killer who makes lobotomy with his victims.
storysteph's review against another edition
4.0
i think a lot of people give this book a lower rating because the subject matter makes them feel uncomfortable. and it's true; the book is about a sexual predator who preys on young boys and teenagers. i read this book before my son was born, and doubt that i could read it now because of the intense emotions i'd feel as a parent. i gave this book 4 stars not because i read it and thought, "that was awesome!" not every book needs to make your entertainment enjoyable. this book disturbed me while i read it and haunts me still, like a bad memory or an old wound. if that's not your bag, there's always nick sparks or danielle steele.
brook3's review against another edition
3.0
I would have preferred this to be written in a normal format. Its in third person and difficult to read. Had to force myself through to finish it...
raymond_murphy's review against another edition
4.0
Oates puts Dennis Cooper and Poppy Z. Brite. A very good and disturbing read.
suzysai's review against another edition
4.0
Tough little book. I almost gave it three stars because how can you really "enjoy" a book about a pedophiliac, sometimes necrophiliac serial killer? However, this is Joyce Carol Oates we are talking about. Of course it is horrifying. She wrote it to be just that, and I will not (cannot) deny her talent. I'm just warning you -tres disturbing!
anthyi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
holy shit