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reads2cope's review against another edition
1.0
It was so disgusting and pointless that I would have thrown it aside early on if I wasn’t reading it for a bookclub. This is especially strange because it had such potential - an interesting setting, ruined by a total lack of commitment to the alleged time period (people know disease was spread by ships, travelers, and rats [yet take no predations, just continue to die]; a character is asked if he had a “girlfriend”; a kid proclaims that he wants to be an “explorer” when he grows up, and so much more) and themes of religion, family, truth, sexuality, class, abuse, pandemics, isolation, and so much more are introduced, and then simply thrown aside.
In an especially jarring section at the end of the second to last chapter, the reader is suddenly addressed directly: “Everything seems reasonable in hindsight.
The only partial redemption and what even allowed me to finish reading was the flow and some actually funny lines:
‘What about heaven, Ina? Don’t you want to go?’
And even less often, a truly beautiful paragraph:
“his heart felt cold, like a sweat chilled by a sudden wind. It was a terrible feeling, the boy's first experience of nostalgia: the pain of his past. Until now, time had had almost no meaning. The sun rose and set. The church bells donged, but he didn't bother to count them.”
“She had a wisdom that nobody could recognize; the deaths of her children hadn't torn the innocence from her heart, but had calloused her against her own rage.”
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Cannibalism, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
yogomagpie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I only give 5 stars to books that I would read multiple times, and I’d definitely read again (after reading something light and fluffy as a palate cleanser).
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Cannibalism, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Confinement, Sexism, Suicide, Death of parent, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Ableism and Body shaming
smacey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Ottessa Moshfegh does it again. I love this author so much, and it is wild how different this story is from My Year of Rest and Relaxation yet how similarly amazing it somehow is.
Stories set in medieval times are far from my usual read, but this was still an incredible and fascinating book. The comparisons you can make between the themes in Lapvona and modern-day religion, capitalism, social status, class, education, sex, gender, and so much more is jarring. Extremely well-done.
I will say though that I both loved and hated the main character in MYRR but mostly just hated all of the main characters in Lapvona (particularly Marek - that boy is so fucking stupid, I'm so sorry). I did, however, love Agata. Queen.
Also, the ending was genius and the perfect way to wrap up the story. Love. 10/10 recommend. Can't wait to read Eileeeeeeeeeeeeen.
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
sarahherm's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Excrement, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
joyce_porter's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
1.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Death of parent, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
orangewitchling's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It was a masterpiece in a very dark way, because the writing style was disconnected but it sold the story. It felt almost like a subconscious newscast on the character and the story.
There was no well defined main character, but the plot revolved around certain characters whilst providing the perspective of those characters and other supporting characters in an equal unemotional manner.
I think it’s a worthy read, it was an exploration of humanity in my opinion and I kinda loved reading it, but I don’t think it’s the kind of book that everyone should read until they are ready.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Excrement, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Believe the reviews, this is not an easy read nor should be read if you are easily triggered.littlemountainchicken's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
crybabybea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book felt like watching a medieval play; the fiefdom is nothing more than a backdrop to watch our characters act out their darkest desires. It worked really well as a vehicle to tell the story of the human condition of trying to find meaning in life and how people's perspectives shape the way they experience the world and make sense of the things that happen to them and the choices they make. The story is told with an omniscient narrator that jumps from character to character, which does make for some telling-not-showing issues here and there. But overall the writing was well done, and Moshfegh is very intentional about each and every word she chooses to really dial up the grotesque imagery that fills every page. In Lapvona, babies are not birthed, they are plunked out.
The characters we follow are like caricatures of the worst people you have ever met. You have the perpetual victim Jude, who sees it as his manly duty to beat his child and rape women; the pitiful Marek who makes excuses for his own actions but judges the actions of others; the pious holier-than-thou servant Lispeth, who denies herself all mortal desires except a single piece of cabbage every day; the imbecile lord Villiam that can't be alone with his thoughts for more than 2 minutes
The characters are exasperatingly self-serving. They don't think about others except to judge them. Their interactions with each other are always transactional, full of projections that each casts onto the other.
"You're too kind, young sir," Villiam said. "It is all a testament to God's glory, not mine." He looked at the priest to say something further, but Barnabas was picking the bones out of his fish stew. He'd been ornery and distracted lately. Perhaps the priest suffered from envy--Villiam would soon be a father to the son of God; Barnabas would never attain such glory.
Each character spends all their time in their own head, constantly feigning moral superiority over arbitrary rules, lacking empathy and self-reflection. At the same time, the reader can see bits of themselves in each character too which causes a bit of ironic self-reflection. I, too, cannot eat my dinner without watching a silly little guy dance for me on a screen.
The idiocy of the characters and the disgusting plot that ensues opens up a commentary on things like religion, moral piety, putting certain ideas or people on pedestals, all that jazz. It explores the idea of perspective and uses a lot of (disgusting) imagery about eyeballs.
I don't want to say this book was funny because of its horrifying content, but the whole book was filled with a sardonic tone that worked really well for me. Characters had sarcastic, dry one-liners that did make me chuckle:
"Why do I feel unhappy?" he asked Lispeth.
She shrugged her shoulders.
"Don't you have any wisdom?"
"No."
The witchy character, Ina, adds a bit of dark fairytale imagery that lends itself well to the setting and overall themes of religion and perspective. Don't get me wrong, she is also a terrible person that abuses everyone she comes across for her own benefit, but her storyline in particular is super interesting and its fairytale-esque quality adds a bit of supernatural mystery and causes reflection on things like higher powers and idols.
This was a good introduction into horror, even though this book doesn't really get classified as horror. I definitely think it leans more on the literary side, but it reads like a depressing gothic fairytale and calls upon some of the imagery that is often used in horror such as religion and inner turmoil, but with a sarcastic, ironic twist. Yeah I liked this a lot despite (or in part, because of?) its gratuitous depravity. I really liked how Moshfegh used horror elements to an absolutely absurd degree. I read a lot of reviews saying that the horrific scenes served no purpose except cheap shock value, which I definitely can see, but to me it felt like that was exactly what she was going for. They are needlessly graphic to the point that they veer into absurdity which only amplifies the characters' issues with moral superiority and lack of self-reflection.
If you like horror or want to try to get into horror I think this would be a good read for you.
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
v_____'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
3.0
Zu Ostern waren die Räuber wieder da...
- Lapvona, 1%
🎧 gehört als Hörbuch
Als erstes: dieses Buch braucht alle Trigger-Warnungen, die es gibt.
Sehr beklemmende Stimmung mit einem Cast von Charakteren die verstörend, pervers und interessant sind. Ihre absurden Handlungen machen in ihrem abstrusen Weltbild Sinn.
Ehrliche Zitate wie dieses sind in dieser Welt, in der Armut und Verwahrlosung herrscht, erfrischend:
... das Produkt einer Vergewaltigung war nicht mehr als das Beweisstück eines Verbrechens...
Die Allegorie zu unserer Welt, wo die Reichen in Luxus schwelgen und die Ressourcen für sich beanspruchen, während der 'Pöbel' von früh bis spät schuftet und trotzdem verhungert und verdurstet, geht zu 100% auf.
Villiam und Barnabas erinnern mich an den Bürgermeister der Seestadt + seinen Gehilfen im Hobbit 2+3 (Film).
Menschen, wie Grigori, die das ganze durchschauen, sind die Ausnahme und trauen sich nichts zu sagen, da sie von der Dorfgemeinschaft sonst nur als verrückte abgestempelt werden.
... Wer nichts besaß, dem konnte nichts gestohlen werden...
Warum nur 3 Sterne?
Ich finde ab der zweiten Hälfte ist die Geschichte nur mehr dahin geplätschert, um zum Ende (ab 90%) nochmal spannend zu werden.
Es wurden noch einige neue Charaktere gegen Ende eingeführt (zB Grigori + Familie), während andere einfach ignoriert wurden und nur mehr wenig oder gar nicht mehr behandelt wurden (zB Jude, Agatha).
Dadurch ergab sich für mich irgendwie ein unrundes Bild.
Wenn man über so etwas hinweg sehen kann, ist das s ein empfehlenswertes Buch für jemanden mit starken Magen.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
shmayjoy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Cannibalism, and Death of parent