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gracefrances's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book and the vast cast of characters found within. Going into this book, I expected it to be horror (aka scare me) but it didn't feel like scary horror. It's more like realistic horror through depictions of life in Baghdad in the mid-2000s because of wars, fear, religion, and US occupation. Reading a few reviews on here after finishing the book helped me connect some dots I otherwise wouldn't have. I would read this again and I would love to follow more of Daniel/Whatsitsname's perspective. 8.5/10
dlrmattic's review against another edition
3.0
just didn't stand out to me? premise was good just too much jumping around for me to care abt anyone
melanie_galea's review against another edition
4.0
I personally really enjoyed reading this book! This was a part of history that I wasn't too familiar with but the events that happen in the book are still relevant today. I read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley last year and I think this was a clever retelling to really capture the pain and confusion happening in Baghdad at the time. We get to delve into the stories of various characters in the book, all of which have been effected by the bombings and terrorist attacks happening in their city. There was a line further on in the book that talked about how even the careful people can end up dying at any moment. The people are walking on eggshells everyday while trying to go about their life as normal... or well adapt to their new normal.
Whatsitsname aka the figure depicting Frankenstein's Monster in this book was created from parts of victim's bodies from bombings - stitched together and inhabited by a lost soul who died in one of the bombings. We see the figure seek revenge on the individual who caused the death of the people whose parts he's made of. Once he's exacted revenge on someone, the body parts of the person he's avenged fall off and Whatsitsname is left to find more body parts to replace what he's lost. Essentially a never ending cycle of violence as Whatsitsname starts to shift his focus from just wanting revenge to prolonging his life.
Whatsitsname aka the figure depicting Frankenstein's Monster in this book was created from parts of victim's bodies from bombings - stitched together and inhabited by a lost soul who died in one of the bombings. We see the figure seek revenge on the individual who caused the death of the people whose parts he's made of. Once he's exacted revenge on someone, the body parts of the person he's avenged fall off and Whatsitsname is left to find more body parts to replace what he's lost. Essentially a never ending cycle of violence as Whatsitsname starts to shift his focus from just wanting revenge to prolonging his life.
bethg97's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
margocabuy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
macyashby's review against another edition
2.0
Not really sure how to rate this. It was overall very dull. But the story was an interesting take on Frankenstein. A vaguely engaging look at how conflict has changed Baghdad.
jet_nebula's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.0
van_worldexplorer's review against another edition
3.5
A really unique take on Frankenstein. A little confusing to me with the large cast but not so confusing that I didn’t want to finish it. I loved how the POV’s switched and we even got the author’s POV briefly. Really showcases the horror that was living in Iraq at that time. You could really tell the grief and trauma of all the characters. I feel like this is the kind of book you have to read multiple times to fully understand it and I love that. I’m definitely going to reread it after some time to digest and see what I get out of it the second time.
tinac09's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5