The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
bremblebee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Graphic: Suicide, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault and Child abuse
booksnbrooches's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
1.0
This book is filled with incomplete stories and trauma porn (specifically of women and children ). I guess if you want a really bad time, go ahead and read it.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Torture, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Slavery, Pedophilia, Death, Cursing, Confinement, Child death, Child abuse, Murder, Abortion, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Self harm, Rape, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Emotional abuse, Body horror, Blood, and Animal cruelty
oliviagarby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Animal cruelty, Child death, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Violence, Dysphoria, Grief, and Murder
smithreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Sexual assault, Sexism, Rape, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Death of parent, Dysphoria, Gun violence, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual content, Stalking, Suicide, and Violence
hannahsfictionlibrary'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
2.0
Moderate: Murder, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Chronic illness, Death, Excrement, Gore, Kidnapping, Abortion, Addiction, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Domestic abuse, and Violence
mermaidsherbet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Minor: Sexual violence, Death, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Rape, Medical content, Vomit, Sexism, Pedophilia, Murder, Sexual harassment, Violence, Suicide, Sexual content, Self harm, Mental illness, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Gun violence, Gore, Sexual assault, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Incest, Grief, Stalking, Physical abuse, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Blood, Adult/minor relationship, and Abandonment
minimicropup's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
So I don't spoil these layered, symbolic, and sometimes bizarre stories, I'm going to reduce them to their most literal base note:
1-An upstairs neighbour commits suicide
👍 Metaphors, similes, personification, hyperbole, irony, and allegory abound. None of the tales (even those that went right over my head) felt pretentious, weird for the sake of weird, forced edgy, or word salad. It was that I didn't have the education or life experience (thankfully?) to "get" it. Most of the stories were subjective so the reader and their interpretation can be a vital part of the experience.
🥺 These are not like Tender is the Flesh. Any commonalities are in writing style and the ability of the author to make familiar unsettling feelings emerge from seemingly absurd unfamiliar moments. I would guess that even if you loved Tender is the Flesh, you won't necessarily not enjoy this. But if you enjoyed this, you will likely enjoy Tender is the Flesh too.
😟 I read these all in one sitting without breaks and felt a little low-key anxious after, but very happy to be back in my world. Check the content warnings and be in the mental space for it going in.
Mood Reading Match Up:
- Highly symbolic, layered stories
- Themes and commentary about assumption, retribution, and abuse from (and abuse of) friends, family, acquaintances, strangers, society, and values.
- Bizarro fiction involving elements of absurdism, satire, and the grotesque
- Deep, dark, confusing, unsettling, cathartic tales
Content Heads-Up: Suicide. Child abuse (sexual; insinuated on page or described via symbolism). Rape. Murder. Suicidal ideation and planning. Death of a spouse. Grief. Alcohol use (self-medication). Body shaming. Body horror (self-mutilation). Termination of pregnancy (involuntary). Animal cruelty and death (bird). Misogyny.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
Moderate: Sexual violence, Death, Alcohol, Murder, Child abuse, and Grief
Minor: Abortion, Misogyny, Animal death, Body horror, Animal cruelty, and Body shaming
ukponge's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Murder and Violence
mynameisrebecca's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Suicide, Death, Sexual harassment, Murder, Blood, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Adult/minor relationship
juffnstuff's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
Graphic: Murder and Suicide