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strawberryshortking's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
3.75
A very quick read, if you're looking for spooky, eerie vibes. It explores a toxic relationship, mental illness, and paranormal/sci-fi like elements. I really enjoyed the writing style being as if you are reading his journal entries. It kept me intrigued and piecing together my own connections throughout. The ending was a bit confusing/lack Lustre to me personally, but I enjoyed this read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
torihbu's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
a short sci-fi thriller about looping through time. a metaphor for rumination and being stuck in the past. very atmospheric and descriptive. you're right there wit the main character as they lose their grip on reality. the slow descent into madness fills you with sinking dread. read this in one sitting!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Body horror and Abandonment
clovetra's review against another edition
challenging
tense
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? It's complicated
1.0
what the hell 🔥
no but seriously. what the hell just happened
this is way too short of a book to understand wtf i just read
like im still wrapping my head around it, and honestly, i think i might have to read a couple of other reviews to try and understand what happened
like i get the narrator is in the dark. but therefore we are in the dark.
sure i felt the perpetual dread, but because the narrator is so god-awful at explaining what is happening, i had no idea.
like if you asked me what the ending was. i would have no response. because i don't know
sure that confusion may be some people's cup of tea. but not mine. i like to know what ive read.
anyways i liked the beginning. i did like how sentences sometimes finished in the middle and an entire new paragraph ended. the middle was pleasant. the ending was incredibly rushed. granted that's what you get for 114 pages but still.
anyways um i actually cant say more because what can you say about a book so short!
i will say though i do want to try reading some of kehlmann's other works in the future. i generally did enjoy his writing! i just fear this was too short to be fleshed out in an appealing way to me.
edit (5/2/2024): i was too nice to this book so ive dropped it a star as i realised i didnt actually enjoy this at all
no but seriously. what the hell just happened
this is way too short of a book to understand wtf i just read
like im still wrapping my head around it, and honestly, i think i might have to read a couple of other reviews to try and understand what happened
like i get the narrator is in the dark. but therefore we are in the dark.
sure i felt the perpetual dread, but because the narrator is so god-awful at explaining what is happening, i had no idea.
like if you asked me what the ending was. i would have no response. because i don't know
sure that confusion may be some people's cup of tea. but not mine. i like to know what ive read.
anyways i liked the beginning. i did like how sentences sometimes finished in the middle and an entire new paragraph ended. the middle was pleasant. the ending was incredibly rushed. granted that's what you get for 114 pages but still.
anyways um i actually cant say more because what can you say about a book so short!
i will say though i do want to try reading some of kehlmann's other works in the future. i generally did enjoy his writing! i just fear this was too short to be fleshed out in an appealing way to me.
edit (5/2/2024): i was too nice to this book so ive dropped it a star as i realised i didnt actually enjoy this at all
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Infidelity, and Forced institutionalization
smolfem's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Infidelity
katiemack's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-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
4.5
This is a short and (not-so) sweet listen for Halloween. The narrator's voice lulled me into complacency, making the eerie moments all the more terrifying. I am glad this leans more House of Leaves than Amityville Horror, though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Infidelity
Moderate: Mental illness and Grief
Minor: Alcohol
szyca's review against another edition
challenging
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
winsomefish's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Infidelity
kermit_the_wrong's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Infidelity
srm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.75
A screenwriter with a rocky marriage takes his wife and daughter to a haunted vacation home. It's all pretty interesting, but I'm discovering that my attempts to go into books cold is leading to me reading stuff (horror) that I typically wouldn't.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement and Infidelity