lhoove's review against another edition
I got 18 pages in and had to return it to the library woopsies. I’ll probably read it later.
thatguy2022's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
katyfranc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
The writing is great and the story was good (dragged in parts, but generally compelling). Narrator gave me Holden Caulfield vibes which I’m sure was intentional but the book’s pretentiousness was a lil bit of a turn off
lemonboyandme's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved this book so much though it is very slow paced. So much happened in it and I’m still really confused about the ending.There were so many disturbing things in this books that I’ll never forget. But I’m happy that I didn’t leave this book halfway through when it was slow. It’s My favorite read of this year so far.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest
lenalovesthebeach's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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? No
4.5
witchavin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.5
gmarie_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
3.0
This feels like if Hemingway was less funny and his characters were MORE hatable and pretentious. Glad I read it for the experience but probably won’t be reading it again =)
classicellie's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this book was good, but I didn't enjoy it very much.
It's a dark and dangerous foray into the complexities of human morality and the toll breaking the bounds of that morality can take on the psyche, with some excellent characterisation and compelling writing.
The main character, Richard, finds himself taken on by a group of Greek students at a university, and the novel is concerned with the characters in that group - how they fall in and out of favour with one another, what happens when secrets are kept hidden, and the power dynamic this creates. I thought the enigmatic Greek Professor was so interesting but he was barely present in this book, although his influence could be felt on every page.
Some of this book's chronicling of human misery was a bit much for me, but I felt invested in the plot and was blown away by the ending.
It's a dark and dangerous foray into the complexities of human morality and the toll breaking the bounds of that morality can take on the psyche, with some excellent characterisation and compelling writing.
The main character, Richard, finds himself taken on by a group of Greek students at a university, and the novel is concerned with the characters in that group - how they fall in and out of favour with one another, what happens when secrets are kept hidden, and the power dynamic this creates. I thought the enigmatic Greek Professor was so interesting but he was barely present in this book, although his influence could be felt on every page.
Some of this book's chronicling of human misery was a bit much for me, but I felt invested in the plot and was blown away by the ending.
ahhhhmanda's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-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
4.5