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arxchiell's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Slavery, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Child death, Genocide, Incest, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Rape, Violence, and Excrement
saint_mikael's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
fa_108's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely love when books and authors just dunk on catholicism and try to ask why. Why does God do this, why is God this way, why do we believe certain thing. To me this book was simply amazing because it brings forward a reinterpretation of several biblical stories and leaves you wondering and questioning a lot about our current view in religion and the world. Definetily would recommend if someone is interested in trying to scrutinize religion and try to see it in a more critical way.
That said, this is not a book for someone seeking for a slow-paced story, with tons of big clear character development, it's a short story that really tries to put up together different events, and really look over them. It can feel too fast for some people, but if you care more about the commentary than the narrative value, then you'll appreciate this book.
Lastly, as recommendation, Demian by Hermann Hesse also deals a bit with religion, and Cain's story specially (although I'd consider it to be a little bit more about just growing from childhood to adulthood), and Saramago has another similar story to this one, while Cain focuses on the old testament, The Gospel According to Jesus Christ deals with the new testament (supposedly, I haven't read it yet but it is the same author, I am assuming here)
Overall, this book has become a favorite of mine, I really enjoyed it and I think it leaves you with a lot to reflect on about how we live now and invites you to reflect over religious believes.
That said, this is not a book for someone seeking for a slow-paced story, with tons of big clear character development, it's a short story that really tries to put up together different events, and really look over them. It can feel too fast for some people, but if you care more about the commentary than the narrative value, then you'll appreciate this book.
Lastly, as recommendation, Demian by Hermann Hesse also deals a bit with religion, and Cain's story specially (although I'd consider it to be a little bit more about just growing from childhood to adulthood), and Saramago has another similar story to this one, while Cain focuses on the old testament, The Gospel According to Jesus Christ deals with the new testament (supposedly, I haven't read it yet but it is the same author, I am assuming here)
Overall, this book has become a favorite of mine, I really enjoyed it and I think it leaves you with a lot to reflect on about how we live now and invites you to reflect over religious believes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Genocide, Sexual content, Violence, and War