5_doogwood_drive's review
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Sexual content and Child death
corallig's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
slow-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? Yes
2.5
"Sie sagte, ich verkehre ihre Mängel in Tugenden, weil es in meiner Natur läge, Menschen, die ich liebte, von der Wahrheit abzuschirmen. In der Wahrheit lauere etwas, sagte sie."
"»Gibt es so etwas wie jetzt? Jetzt kommt und geht so schnell, wie du es aussprichst. Wie kann ich sagen, daß es jetzt regnet, wenn dein sogenanntes >jetzt< >dann< wird, sobald ich es ausspreche?«"
"Was war schlimmer, der tatsächliche Zustand oder der selbstgeschaffene, und spielte es überhaupt eine Rolle?"
"Ich bewunderte die Antwort. Wahrscheinlich bewunderte ich auch ihn."
"»Gibt es so etwas wie jetzt? Jetzt kommt und geht so schnell, wie du es aussprichst. Wie kann ich sagen, daß es jetzt regnet, wenn dein sogenanntes >jetzt< >dann< wird, sobald ich es ausspreche?«"
"Was war schlimmer, der tatsächliche Zustand oder der selbstgeschaffene, und spielte es überhaupt eine Rolle?"
"Ich bewunderte die Antwort. Wahrscheinlich bewunderte ich auch ihn."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence
ru_th's review
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The power of the dead is that we think they see us all the time. The dead have a presence. Is there a level of energy composed solely of the dead? They are also in the ground, of course, asleep and crumbling. Perhaps we are what they dream.
May the days be aimless. Let the seasons drift. Do not advance the action according to plan.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Medical content, Blood, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Vomit, and Violence
marshlaand's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Gun violence
scytheria's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Terminal illness, Death, and Classism
Lots of talk about Hitler.stressedoutreader's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use
Moderate: Gun violence and Death
monahed's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Gun violence
Moderate: Death
toffishay's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.75
I actually really liked it! I liked the writing style and the messaging was interesting, intentionally heavy-handed. I was surprised by this one. It is absurdist in a very grounded way.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Misogyny and Sexism
annika_cl's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Gun violence, Sexual content, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Dysphoria, and Death
michaelcoleallen's review
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A masterclass in satire. There’s not much that hasn’t already been praised about this novel, but something I focused in on was the kind of Baader-Meinhoff phenomenon present throughout. Once a topic like the German language, Elvis, or (especially) death come into conversation, the frequency that these topics are noticed in the “white noise” (tv, radio, tabloids) increase.
What a great ending, too.
A must-read.
What a great ending, too.
Spoiler
Jack essentially confronts the “white noise” with Mink, who spouts quotes from TV and shovels in numbing medication. Yet the shooting is no longer pleasurable when Mink shows some humanity. It’s worth some pondering on why Jack still decides the gun belongs in the hands of this manifestation of media/easy living. Hmmmm.A must-read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence