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ansyb's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
I wanted to read this book having been inspired by Angela Carter's book Heroes and Villains. However I found it a bit disappointing. Some of the imagery and writing I enjoyed, but some of it didn't really make sense to me and felt gratuitously graphic.
I found the exploration of gender and anatomical sex (portrayed as the same thing and not separate constructs) very outdated and binary, as well as some of the feminist topics. Like other reviewers have said, I found that the main narrator's point of view was from a very white and male perspective, but to the point of the irony being lost. It felt it was promoting the protagonist's point of view rather than him learning from his experiences - though others may disagree.
I felt uncomfortable reading the book as a modern reader. It didn't feel it explored intersectional themes in a way which promoted understanding or compassion for others.
I found the exploration of gender and anatomical sex (portrayed as the same thing and not separate constructs) very outdated and binary, as well as some of the feminist topics. Like other reviewers have said, I found that the main narrator's point of view was from a very white and male perspective, but to the point of the irony being lost. It felt it was promoting the protagonist's point of view rather than him learning from his experiences - though others may disagree.
I felt uncomfortable reading the book as a modern reader. It didn't feel it explored intersectional themes in a way which promoted understanding or compassion for others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Infertility, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, Murder, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Excrement and Abortion
Minor: Lesbophobia
laurakate's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Medical trauma, and Dysphoria