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astardanced's review
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
My first venture with Waugh and I'm not sure he's for me. Well worth reading though and I very much enjoyed the insight into society.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs
qcupquake's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Vile Bodies
4/5
- ... im gonna be real. i only bought and read this book bc michael sheen was in the movie adaptation
- BUT it was a classic i enjoyed more than other classics ive read.
- think of it as a british Great Gatsby that documents how young people went through life and how the press documented and twisted their words and actions. that's the best way i can describe it
- was a bit confusing at times but i watched the movie beforehand so i understood most of it
- i was surprised to see how quickly they moved in from Miles leaving the country in the book when there was a whole emotional (and a GODDAMN WELL ACTED) scene in the movie.
- the movie added a lot more filler and created an actual ending compared to the ambiguous one in the book
- also everyone go watch the movie it's great
- the movie actually stuck to the plot of the book very VERY well which is something that was really rare back in the 2000s-2010s (cough the mortal instruments movie cough)
- anyways it's now one of my favorite classics. go watch the movie
4/5
- ... im gonna be real. i only bought and read this book bc michael sheen was in the movie adaptation
- BUT it was a classic i enjoyed more than other classics ive read.
- think of it as a british Great Gatsby that documents how young people went through life and how the press documented and twisted their words and actions. that's the best way i can describe it
- was a bit confusing at times but i watched the movie beforehand so i understood most of it
- the movie added a lot more filler and created an actual ending compared to the ambiguous one in the book
- also everyone go watch the movie it's great
- the movie actually stuck to the plot of the book very VERY well which is something that was really rare back in the 2000s-2010s (cough the mortal instruments movie cough)
- anyways it's now one of my favorite classics. go watch the movie
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Homophobia, Mental illness, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Car accident
Minor: Racial slurs and Racism
yolanda_h's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Car accident and Alcohol
Minor: Racial slurs and Trafficking
magoo's review
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Suicide
Minor: Trafficking
bzedan's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
sad
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
Picked this up on a whim to bide time before watching the film adaptation by Stephen Fry. It’s a bit of a lark and a bit of a time capsule of literary style. Very dialogue heavy in an interesting way. Like Great Gatsby it’s a book about people who suck, and who fail up and out of their social set.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Racial slurs, and Antisemitism
julziez's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Racial slurs, Racism, Antisemitism, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Car accident, Murder, Cultural appropriation, and War
bookwurm2004's review
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I found this to be a delightfully confusing book about a wide cast of characters in various degrees of rich madness. You follow multiple people and multiple parties and it's rather clear that glitz and glamour tries to coat discontent and death. Also it's gloriously funny, how I love Miss Runcible!
I would reccomend this book for maybe 15 and up. The writing style is very unique and if you fancy a book with a wandering story, interesting characters and various mishaps then please give this classic a read.
However please note this book is old so there are some outdated words and thinking.
I would reccomend this book for maybe 15 and up. The writing style is very unique and if you fancy a book with a wandering story, interesting characters and various mishaps then please give this classic a read.
However please note this book is old so there are some outdated words and thinking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
jolee's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
2.5
This book surprised me. It read like a Wes Anderson movie: frenetic pace, frivolous characters, jokes/bits that rely on repetition. It felt accessible for how many characters and plot lines there were and it was entertaining enough to make for a very quick read.
That said, it’s also racist as hell. It jarred me right out of the story and reminded me why I steer clear of most classics now that I don’t have to read them for uni.
Vile Bodies is mentioned in the first episode of The Sandman and Evelyn Waugh is known to have been in a number of queer relationships so I had hopes this would be something… more.
I’m glad I read it because some parts were truly delightful. I just wish it was better.
That said, it’s also racist as hell. It jarred me right out of the story and reminded me why I steer clear of most classics now that I don’t have to read them for uni.
Vile Bodies is mentioned in the first episode of The Sandman and Evelyn Waugh is known to have been in a number of queer relationships so I had hopes this would be something… more.
I’m glad I read it because some parts were truly delightful. I just wish it was better.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Racial slurs, Suicide, and Antisemitism
yenna's review
2.5
i didn’t go in expecting a satire but it did grow on me somewhat - from being rather incomprehensible and muddled with the large cast of characters to having a few witty/insightful scenes - but mostly it felt like it was trying too hard whilst simultaneously trying to maintain that aloofness in writing tone. i am not explaining it well, perhaps I just don’t get on with his style of writing.. I wasn’t the right audience for the content either - i think if you were reading this academically/with an interest in that era he is writing about and the social commentary of his work, there is a lot to think about here for critique. he clearly knows the type of people he is writing about, who the title sum up rather well.. vile bodies indeed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, and Antisemitism