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rishreadsin2021's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The writing, pace, breaking of the fourth wall and so many other aspects of this novel are quite unique, for me at least. I took my time with it but even then I stayed with the characters and their own musings about life, longing, relationships, and more, every time I came back to it. At times, the abstractness gets too much and you go too into the vortex of one character's muddled thoughts. But I enjoyed reading about vaguely interconnected characters and their quirks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
novelyon's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Gorgeous writing and reflections that is unfortunately hampered a bit by really long and dare I say boring segments of infidelity. While some of the reflections and ideas that are brought forth from the characters' infidelity are interesting, they weren't deserving of all the time spent on the act; other reflections based off of things like war and religion were far more captivating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Blood, Excrement, Police brutality, Car accident, and War
Minor: Medical content
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
a complex--and complexly structured--philosophizing novel w/ thought-provoking, brow-raising ideas + ruminations that has quite a bit of truth and wisdom, and offers a fascinating study on the complexity of humans, in addition to spot-on, if a bit ironic, depictions of american imperialism, leftist self-righteousness, etc. def didnt understand everything, but i do get why this is considered a contemporary classic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Abandonment, and War
sydneyjn's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Animal death
whosjessanywayew's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Minor: Animal death and Rape
lily_k8y's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Considering I really did not find any of the characters loveable, and I didn't like any of the relationships presented, I still wanted to keep reading and liked it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual content, Excrement, and Grief
lisaearley's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Infidelity, Rape, and Sexual content
bugmanreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Infidelity
ssgcedits's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-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
4.25
I am a bit tired of gross men which is why I can't give this a higher rating. Otherwise, this is a genius exploration of relationships and the motivations and inner monologues of those in them. It is marvellously written to the point that some passages have stayed with me years on. A few of the characters also go through important and often overlooked episodes of Czech/European history. Very much worth the read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, and Infidelity
Moderate: Misogyny and War