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alicesometimesreads's review against another edition
3.0
A mixed bag - there were some I enjoyed and some I feel like was just not the vibe. I feel like some had great potential but missed the mark a wee bit.
The book was extremely well written but maybe I should've read the stories a bit more spaced out, I think the visceral/unsettling sexual themes needed some time to digest and maybe I would've enjoyed it more if the previous story doesn't affect me enjoyment of the next ones.
Also definitely a book you need to listen to and think - I had to relisten/ask Hannah what was going on when I was listening, but not giving it my fill attention.
I think I would like to read something a bit more wholesome/comforting next.
The book was extremely well written but maybe I should've read the stories a bit more spaced out, I think the visceral/unsettling sexual themes needed some time to digest and maybe I would've enjoyed it more if the previous story doesn't affect me enjoyment of the next ones.
Also definitely a book you need to listen to and think - I had to relisten/ask Hannah what was going on when I was listening, but not giving it my fill attention.
I think I would like to read something a bit more wholesome/comforting next.
hannahmcjean's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.0
I have quite conflicting views on this story collection, though my impression is positive overall.
My main concern is with how sexuality and eroticism was explored in a lot of these stories - sometimes in interesting ways, but at other times in ways that felt pointless or even detracted from the rest of the story. At worst, I felt that sexual violence was often handled poorly. In particular, I really did not like the story ‘Mama’ (1⭐️ for sure) - I don’t know what it was trying to say but I honestly wish I hadn’t read it.
At its best these stories were odd, creative and rather absorbing. I was always pulled to turn the page. My favourite is probably the first one, ‘1998’, and I also really enjoyed the last story, ‘The Sorrows of Young Lotte’.
Overall, I found the first half of this collection more interesting and entertaining, with the second half (except for the final story) being quite disappointing.
Overall, I found the first half of this collection more interesting and entertaining, with the second half (except for the final story) being quite disappointing.
It’s hard to rate the full collection because my enjoyment of each story varied a lot, but if I calculate the average of my individual ratings it comes to: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest
Moderate: Rape
antisocialsciences's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
jesswebs's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ramonaleanna's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
canditheduck's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
3.5
Interesting concepts in the stories, critiquing sex/eroticism and its intersection with technology, religious dogma, and sprinkled in some sci fi/dystopian edge. Sometimes felt a little cheesy