Reviews

Machine by Susan Steinberg

k_enz0's review

mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.0

dmsehnert's review

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

4.25

jenavieveparks's review

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

shomps's review

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

very boring and predictable

dandeliongirl's review

4.0

This book was so well written. Each chapter was written in a different style (prose, verse, punctuation, just semicolons, etc.) that accompanied the storyline so beautifully. The repetition of themes and the non-chronological order of the book mirrored the way people process trauma. The anonymity of the narrator forced the reader to engage with the text in a personal way, enhancing the emotional intensity of the subject matter. Steinberg wove different storylines and themes throughout chapters, creating a sense of confusion that both the readers and the narrator were asked to sort through at the same time.

bibliolucinda's review against another edition

5.0

"You can lie and say you're in control. Then the awful truth rushes in. You're not at all everlasting. You'll never be super-human. You can't stop things. You can't freeze time. You're in every way like everyone else. Like everything else. You'll end."

"the younger girls still think about love as arrows through hearts; and please, girls; I know about love; I know what it is; just tiny motors whirring in one's saddest, darkest parts;"

4.5 stars rounded up. Surprised by how much I liked this - it may be grating for some people in the experimentation with punctuation and poetic verse style, but I loved it and found it so easy to sink into the rhythm of the writing. I want to reread it immediately.

emilybergonzi's review

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

wtb_michael's review

challenging dark slow-paced

3.0

Concerned with trauma and memory, privilege and spectacle - a bit too abstract for me to really embrace 

vwojtowicz's review

dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

kairakaira's review

3.0

Fast little read, interesting form & kept my attention. I’d like to read more from this author. A little too short to get super into it.