Reviews

Bad Thoughts by Nada Alic

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Only 30%-50% of people have an inner voice, but 100% of the characters in Bad Thoughts do! Their inner thoughts are trite and kind of disgusting - just like my own. It was exhausting and I am probably exhausting too. Loved it.

nickdleblanc's review

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4.0

Very funny and speedy prose, lots of inner monologue. The stories are good but it’s more about what’s happening internally for the narrators. I’ll read more of her.

readyuhbook's review against another edition

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funny inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

poringoverprose's review

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3.0

I found myself very conflicted in rating this collection. I really wanted to like it, but I just feel like it genuinely was not for me. It had a great premise with the use of bringing our intrusive inner thoughts to life through whimsical characters, but I felt as though there was something missing throughout the entirety of this book. At some point, the characters began to mesh together, which may have been a choice taken by the author to make the reader focus more on the absurdity of the situation at hand (the stories are definitely plot driven), but I couldn't help but to want to understand the characters a little more as if they were real people in order to make it feel more real. I feel as though it would've aided in shock factor. I also felt as though there were some phrases/words that were used a little too often or just could've been explained a little differently. For example (sort of a spoiler but not really??), her use of the word 'feminist' to describe a man's sensual touch just took me out of it a little bit especially with it being used again. But, I could also admit it may be me being nit picky so don't mind my small little gripes in that portion haha. Upon finishing the stories, I didn't feel too much afterwards and would often forget what the previous story was about. As a fan of absurd works, I find these pieces settling in my mind for a good while afterwards and I just didn't really get that from this collection. However, to reiterate, I did enjoy the overall premise and I must be truthful in the fact that I did enjoy the works in the moment of reading them, but after some reflection I just felt like I was left wanting more and not in a satisfying way. There's a lot of potential, and I have hopes for what more is to come from Alic.

ficklefever's review

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3.0

the title really sums it up: these are bad thoughts! but like, funny bad. the kind of niche experiences you have as a woman and find out years later that a looot of other women have too. reading this felt like reading your blunt, sarcastic friend's diary. would recommend to the #hotgirls!

camillatd's review

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3.5

Solid short stories--as collections tend to go, I liked some much better than others. Read this for book club and we had some good and interesting discussions on womanhood, relationships, and writing.