itacuz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
3.5
A quick read that feels like an honest depiction of someone spiraling into really dangerous, gonzo pornography. It walked the line between melodrama and hyper-serious reality, occasionally stumbling to either side before righting itself again. The best moments were of shared humanity between sex workers, the worst were never really bad. Looking forward to more from Richar Chiem.
maya_irl's review against another edition
3.0
"I pretended I was indestructible to pass the time..."
oddly's review against another edition
5.0
Hippos and porn stars and pit bulls—oh my!
This is quite a novel. A meditation on grief, emotional and physical connection, and the ways we cope when that thread is severed, while at the same time managing to be quite humorous and wildly absurd.
The novel is told in a fever-dream style, lacking punctuation for dialogue and telling the second half of the story before the first half. Every stylistic choice Chiem makes in this work only serves to emphasize dramatic and emotional pulse of the climax—and you’re going to feel it. A gut punch, to be sure. One you don’t see coming at the same time that it is as obvious as a freight train.
A self-destructive heroine who shines brightly in her secret interior life, Corvus (meaning “raven” in Latin), the reader can’t help but to feel pulled into the orbit of her strange magnetic chaos in this story.
This book toes the line between realism and absurdism. It reminded me of Chuck Palahniuk in the style and sense that the characters live in this world of topsy-turvy pandemonium and find it fairly normal—all that tumult is just background noise to their own specific and absurd issue.
I truly loved every second and highly recommend this one.
My thanks to Soft Skull Press for sending this one my way to read and review.
This is quite a novel. A meditation on grief, emotional and physical connection, and the ways we cope when that thread is severed, while at the same time managing to be quite humorous and wildly absurd.
The novel is told in a fever-dream style, lacking punctuation for dialogue and telling the second half of the story before the first half. Every stylistic choice Chiem makes in this work only serves to emphasize dramatic and emotional pulse of the climax—and you’re going to feel it. A gut punch, to be sure. One you don’t see coming at the same time that it is as obvious as a freight train.
A self-destructive heroine who shines brightly in her secret interior life, Corvus (meaning “raven” in Latin), the reader can’t help but to feel pulled into the orbit of her strange magnetic chaos in this story.
This book toes the line between realism and absurdism. It reminded me of Chuck Palahniuk in the style and sense that the characters live in this world of topsy-turvy pandemonium and find it fairly normal—all that tumult is just background noise to their own specific and absurd issue.
I truly loved every second and highly recommend this one.
My thanks to Soft Skull Press for sending this one my way to read and review.
caseythereader's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Trafficking
bookalong's review against another edition
5.0
An Very Enthralling Read!
•
This is the kind of book I'm always longing to read. With characters that are so achingly real and human. And a story that grabs you and you dont want to let go. In this short novel Richard Chiem has achieved something remarkable!
Corvus's character is so excellently done. From her melancholy and haunting past we get to see her fight for her future. I loved every minute of reading this book. I really didnt want it to end. Chiem has a way with language that is seductive, brilliant and beautiful. I will be thinking about this book for a long while and waiting for whatever he does next.
•
THANK YOU the the Publisher for sending me this ARC
•
For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
•
This is the kind of book I'm always longing to read. With characters that are so achingly real and human. And a story that grabs you and you dont want to let go. In this short novel Richard Chiem has achieved something remarkable!
Corvus's character is so excellently done. From her melancholy and haunting past we get to see her fight for her future. I loved every minute of reading this book. I really didnt want it to end. Chiem has a way with language that is seductive, brilliant and beautiful. I will be thinking about this book for a long while and waiting for whatever he does next.
•
THANK YOU the the Publisher for sending me this ARC
•
For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
pyontek's review against another edition
4.0
A weird, beautiful book. Captures the details of depression and grief so honestly.
meeshreads's review against another edition
5.0
This book had me mesmerized. It's very short and would be perfect to read in one sitting, but it's also kind of bleak. The jumps around in time kept it from getting too depressing, and it was over before I knew it with an ending that felt like a dream. Finished it last night and still thinking about it. If you like your summertime/beach reads a bit unpredictable, dark, and unsettling, I would absolutely recommend this one!
akaybarlow's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jessicaxmaria's review against another edition
5.0
You ever start a book after reading the synopsis and think, I will be surprised if I like this? When Soft Skull Press reached out and asked if I'd like a copy, and then briefed me on the plot, my eyes hesitated on the words "evil pornographer." I'm pretty sure I'm not the right reader for a book with any sort of pornographic setting. ...Or am I?
KING OF JOY is much, much more than the synopsis could ever hope to encapsulate. For a small book, there's a lot to meditate on, and Corvus, our protagonist—our heroine!—is a great character to embark on this journey of rumination and suspense. There were elements to Corvus that I was surprised to find I related to: her introversion, attachment to an extroverted friend, and how she spaces out. Growing up in the military, I feel trained in being able to stare out the window and think for long, long (cross-country, even) periods of time. A transportation of another sort. Corvus allows us to follow her into her memories, the weird people and places she encounters, and the glimpses of happiness through her despairing grief.
Chiem's writing is atmospheric, eloquent, and loves to slowly reveal the place and action. There was probably a moment or two where my mouth was agape while reading because I was trying to figure out what sinister creature was lying in wait—animal or human or... ? And while it's mesmerizing and thoughtful, it's FUNNY, too. There's something Chiem gets perfectly about the central friendship; especially when a Robyn song comes over the car radio.
So yes, I was surprised that I fell so in love with this book. I was surprised that the dreamy writing and character exploration also gave way to a tension-filled plot. And I was surprised that there were moments to laugh amid all the grieving. Thanks Soft Skull PRess for thinking of me and sending me a copy! The book comes out today, 3/5, friends, and you should probably pick it up if you want something trippy, quick to read, and oddly magnetic!
KING OF JOY is much, much more than the synopsis could ever hope to encapsulate. For a small book, there's a lot to meditate on, and Corvus, our protagonist—our heroine!—is a great character to embark on this journey of rumination and suspense. There were elements to Corvus that I was surprised to find I related to: her introversion, attachment to an extroverted friend, and how she spaces out. Growing up in the military, I feel trained in being able to stare out the window and think for long, long (cross-country, even) periods of time. A transportation of another sort. Corvus allows us to follow her into her memories, the weird people and places she encounters, and the glimpses of happiness through her despairing grief.
Chiem's writing is atmospheric, eloquent, and loves to slowly reveal the place and action. There was probably a moment or two where my mouth was agape while reading because I was trying to figure out what sinister creature was lying in wait—animal or human or... ? And while it's mesmerizing and thoughtful, it's FUNNY, too. There's something Chiem gets perfectly about the central friendship; especially when a Robyn song comes over the car radio.
So yes, I was surprised that I fell so in love with this book. I was surprised that the dreamy writing and character exploration also gave way to a tension-filled plot. And I was surprised that there were moments to laugh amid all the grieving. Thanks Soft Skull PRess for thinking of me and sending me a copy! The book comes out today, 3/5, friends, and you should probably pick it up if you want something trippy, quick to read, and oddly magnetic!