Reviews tagging 'Death'

The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester

5 reviews

jovanh's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense

• 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? It's complicated

2.75

I didn't love this book. Perhaps if I had first read The Count of Monte Cristo, the story's inspiration, I'd have better appreciation for this story. I do appreciate Bester's typographic attempt at simulating synesthesia, and his worldbuilding is pretty cool.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Death, Rape, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and War

Minor: Death of parent

fletchie's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

An absolute blast to read. The pace of this book is something to behold.

If you're interested in an old school sci-fi romp that feels like it could've been written yesterday, then here it is. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

itsnicholaslashay's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Sexual violence, Medical trauma, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Torture, Trafficking, War, and Injury/Injury detail

lalu's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

read in 2020

It's the 24th century. Gully Foyle (who is less than average in every aspect) is the only survivor after the space ship where he works gets destroyed. When an other space ship turns a blind eye to his distress signals, a manic urge to get revenge rises within him.

What other writers would have told in 700+ pages, Bester condenses to 240. There is no time for doubts, no time for hesitation - I could feel how driven the protagonist is.
What bothered me a lot was that apparently gender norms didn't change one bit between 1950 and ~2350. There's even a woman who secretly works in a man's job.
Apart from that it was an interesting and well written book, it just didn't meet my personal taste.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Sexism, Violence, and Medical content

Minor: Rape

torpidcup's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

3.25

Unmitigated insanity. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Bullying, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, and Murder

Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Drug use, Sexism, and Violence