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amy_da1sy's review
4.0
This took a while for me to get into and it’s one of the first books in a long time which I had to pause and read some other books and then come back to it. Once i got to the end of the book I did enjoy it in a sense but it took a while
emsemsems's review
1.0
'His dogs were different in many ways from most dogs, but he realized that the sexual drive in all animals was very strong and so he thought it only proper that he should teach his dogs the proper way to screw. '
Nah, it's basically extreme trauma porn written so incredibly self-indulgently . What the fuck, Penguin? This book does not deserve to be published, let alone be placed on that kind of 'pedestal' . This isn't a 'classic' . This is pure wastage . I am surprised that I even got to the middle of it (a little more than that even). What kind of person would that make me? If I had actually forced myself to finish such literary trash ? So, DNF for fucking sure .
Disturbing? No. Perversely pornographic, filthy, lacking substance and style (to be lacking of both is quite rare!). There are literally so many 'Hahahahahahah' in the book. Like yes, we get that he's losing his mind or whatever. Repetitive - could easily have been a much shorter book. None of the scenes in the book 'shocked' me. No care for grammar/spelling or structure. Basically desensitised after a while since it's all so similar - and only trying to the provoke the readers. Not a fan. Burn it.
menintrees's review against another edition
reflective
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? Yes
3.0
ewascibior's review
dark
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
3.0
christie_evelyn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Confinement, Rape, Sexual content, Torture, and Police brutality
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Body horror
Minor: Suicide
ghosthardware98's review
4.0
I didn't think this book was as disturbing as the other reviewers have suggested but it was easily the toughest book I've ever gotten through. The main reason the 'impact' was lessened for me was because the most disturbing scenes were presented in a fantasy world conjured up by the protagonist. As a result, it ended up feeling less real to me. The average reader will more than likely stop reading about a third of the way in, but if you can stick with it you'll find it to be a rewarding read.
I loved the way the book was presented, the mix of stream of consciousness and sudden formality was jarring and worked very well. The ending was great also, it might come off as anti-climactic but I thought it did a solid job wrapped up the story and the protagonist’s feelings: a prisoner in the physical and imaginary.
I loved the way the book was presented, the mix of stream of consciousness and sudden formality was jarring and worked very well. The ending was great also, it might come off as anti-climactic but I thought it did a solid job wrapped up the story and the protagonist’s feelings: a prisoner in the physical and imaginary.
owlribbon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Gore, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Police brutality, and Injury/Injury detail
xrevacholiere's review
1.0
I crawlingly managed to read approximately 25% of this novel, and I just couldn't go on- despite continuously having Beckett's dictum in mind. Which is a shame, because it's my introduction to Hubert Selby Jr., and I was sincerely excited and curious. Perhaps I should've started with Last Exit instead, like a normal person.
Disregarding the atrocious style (seemingly, it's quite a feat not only to overcome it, but to accept it and actually finish this book), I'm legitimately convinced I still wouldn't have managed to have had the heart to bestow upon it anything remotely close to a librarian-like "Acceptable" stamp.
Requiem for The Room, then.
Disregarding the atrocious style (seemingly, it's quite a feat not only to overcome it, but to accept it and actually finish this book), I'm legitimately convinced I still wouldn't have managed to have had the heart to bestow upon it anything remotely close to a librarian-like "Acceptable" stamp.
Requiem for The Room, then.