sashaq's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
cshaff's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
bookeared's review against another edition
medium-paced
2.75
Really liked the premise, but the book didn't go anywhere really interesting with it.
vexedfox's review
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
This novel was all vibes, very little plot, and unfortunately, I hated the vibes.
Very little happens for the first 80% of the book. Instead, we explore the characters within and connected to the Cabinet. This had the potential to be touching and effective, and it sometimes was, but there was a disdain and emotional distance with which everyone, including the our main character, is treated that made it very difficult for me force myself to this book. I also really wrestled with the unrelenting anti-fatness woven throughout.
The last bit of the novel had a jarring tonal shift and unexpected level of violence that left it feeling really disconnected from the rest of the story. I do think the ending was deliberately unsatisfying, and I was indeed unsatisfied. Overall, a very frustrating book.
Very little happens for the first 80% of the book. Instead, we explore the characters within and connected to the Cabinet. This had the potential to be touching and effective, and it sometimes was, but there was a disdain and emotional distance with which everyone, including the our main character, is treated that made it very difficult for me force myself to this book. I also really wrestled with the unrelenting anti-fatness woven throughout.
The last bit of the novel had a jarring tonal shift and unexpected level of violence that left it feeling really disconnected from the rest of the story. I do think the ending was deliberately unsatisfying, and I was indeed unsatisfied. Overall, a very frustrating book.
jamie_reads_stuff's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Maybe the style of the book is not for me but i couldnt help but not feel invested. I liked some aspects of this book but like I really did not enjoy it otherwise. It was weirdly boring as a whole. The audiobook narrator also threw me off sometimes with some of the voices and I dont think i could take the story seriously. I’m sure some people can enjoy it but its just really not for me
dkai's review against another edition
4.0
Great book club book to analyze, yet also fairly easy, short, and fun (though also heavy?). I dunno it's a lot of things.
samber7's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
francisco909's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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
5.0
dustyafox's review against another edition
5.0
This was an incredible book. I loved the dark humor throughout. The narrative structure of this story is loose, but the overall theme of the book is captivating. In many ways, this story does a great job of distilling the dread of being a human living in modern society.
Outstanding. Highly recommend if you love stories like Office Space or other narratives focused on the banality of modern life and work.
Outstanding. Highly recommend if you love stories like Office Space or other narratives focused on the banality of modern life and work.