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disco_spider's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The book is both disturbing but funny. Uncomfortable yet enticing. It would probably take someone “unhip” like me a couple reads to glean all of the levels of meaning Thompson has weaves throughout his wild tale. The glowing reviews plastered on the cover and in the introduction seem to be missing something now that we are in the 2020s. Younger readers need a bit of context to make this book truly stick. However it has a life of its own and can be appreciated in different seasons of the life of a reader. Teens will find the wild and sinful exploits to be edgy. Young adults may start to appreciate the cultural commentary drenched in irony. More seasoned readers may connect with the deep cynicism and absurdism that life seems to hold around every turn.
Definitely a wild tale that all American readers should take a stab at if you want to connect with the fallout of the 1960s and why America is what it is today.
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Rape
emadisonc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Maybe it meant something. Maybe not, in the long run, but no explanation, no mix of words or music or memories can touch that sense of knowing that you were there and alive in that corner of time and the world. Whatever it meant.
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, and Rape
Minor: Body shaming
roseknows124's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Excrement, Vomit, Antisemitism, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
lesfleursmonet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Minor: Drug abuse, Homophobia, Racism, and Sexual assault
jaimc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Car accident
aidanweyer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Rape
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Racial slurs, and Racism
bookish_bry's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
That being said, the themes were on point and it was an interesting look into a very specific subculture in the US during the 1970s. It's the optimistic free love culture from the 60s soured by pessimism during the Vietnam war, but the main character (the author himself really) still can't quite let it go. It also takes an interesting look at the main American culture as well.
The writing style was always intriguing and well done even when I was slightly bored or frustrated with the content. Overall it's a solid book. I probably won't be reading it again anytime soon, but it was a very valuable reading experience. I may even look into more of Thompson's books since I really did enjoy the style.
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Sexism, Violence, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Vomit, and Police brutality
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Gun violence, Homophobia, Kidnapping, and War
aimee94's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Racial slurs
4cardz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
prettysoyboy's review against another edition
2.75
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
Minor: Homophobia, Misogyny, Racial slurs, and Lesbophobia