Reviews

Undone by John Colapinto

paxultek's review against another edition

challenging dark sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

jasjadeserrano's review against another edition

4.0

HA.

This author is deranged, but in a wildly entertaining and alarmingly focused kind of way. A quick read (I'm a fairly slow reader and I tore through this book in a week), thick with irony. (The irony. It bordered on overkill, but that's what made this book so fun.)

Several reviews said this book was a commentary on society's fascination with celebrity and money, the lengths to which people will go to possess those things, and the destructiveness of envy. I can see it. Ultimately, I think this book is a satire of literature's fetishization of youthfulness and its tendency to regard men, particularly paternal figures, as the custodians of female sexuality.

If you have prudish sensibilities, stay far away from this book. If you want a witty dark comedy/noir that takes a long, cynical look at taboo sexual desire... well, your search ends here.

clarrro's review against another edition

3.0

The commas, the semi-colons, the colons, the parentheses, the dashes that populated nearly every sentence really floored me. Not to mention the unwieldy plot, the unlikable characters, the confused theme. I skimmed through to the bitter end, just to see what happened, so it had that going for it. Not every book is meant for every reader.

sscheidt's review against another edition

5.0

This book was dark, unsettling, and very difficult to put down. I enjoyed the authors voice and the exploration of what society considers to be acceptable and out of bounds. I also really liked how this story had a slow burn to it; none of the major plot points felt overdone or forced, which served to protect the disturbing realism of the story. I initially wanted to give this book 4 stars, but I'm giving it 5 because Colapinto made me hate his main character so much.

bepisaun's review against another edition

5.0

A truly chilling and terrifying tale of a real life disease that can turn an ordinary family up on their head.

cdombro's review against another edition

2.0

This book is incredibly disturbing and I honestly just wish I’d never read it. I didn’t know the premise when I picked it up, but once I started-I was determined to finish. I was underwhelmed and disheartened with the way the plot unfolded and characters were written. Beyond just the disturbing premise, there seemed to be such a lack of reasoning for certain things. The female characters were made into 2-dimensional shells instead did real women/girls. The antagonist had little reasoning or motivation, other than just being deeply disturbed.

Overall, I don’t think this book said anything. It didn’t really give Chloe or Pauline or Maddy the ending they deserved. Honestly, it was weak writing and it too away from what could have been a very impactful story.

foodosaurusrex's review

5.0

Damn. This book was good. Got it as a "free surprise book with purchase" at my local bookstore last week and I'm so glad I did! It was gripping and a true page turner. It brings about shock, disgust, sadness, happiness, anger.. Really hits on a lot of emotions in just 385 pages. Highly recommend!!

loonyboi's review against another edition

3.0

Not, bad, but sadly, not great. The bones of a really black comedic novel are here, but Colapinto isn't quite up to the task. Not without its moments, but not as good as I had hoped.