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breadbummer's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Can we please get more books narrated by weird old women??? Because of this type of main character, I don't think I've ever read a book quite like this. I'll admit, it did seem kind of slow to me in some parts but, even at these sections, just like with Duszejko's love of astrology, paying attention to the tiniest details is key to figuring out what's going on. I definitely had my suspicions as the book progressed, but I was still glued to the page when everything was revealed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Chronic illness, Death, Violence, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Confinement, Fatphobia, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence, Sexual content, and Fire/Fire injury
almostqualified's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Violence and Murder
Minor: Ableism, Chronic illness, and Blood
booksillremember's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Older women MCs are outrageously hard to find, so I was happy to get a glimpse into Duszejko's mind. I enjoyed how her way of making sense of the world was so out there and yet so relatable at the same time. The 'found family' added some sweetness to the story, even though most of the characters weren't really fleshed out.
This is very much character and theme driven, so if you are a plot lover, this isn't for you. Nothing much happens for the most part. The pacing is poor, the story is repetitive and then gets wrapped up quickly and too neatly. At times it was a struggle to get through, but I still very much enjoyed it for the unique experience it offers.
It's a dense exploration of existential questions and I'm sure a lot of it went over my head because I haven't read William Blake who is referenced a lot. I'm also really not into astrology, but I can appreciate that Duszejko is a pattern seeker extraordinaire.
As a side note, I didn't appreciate the snide remark about 'testosterone autism' that was just there to stereotype an 'antisocial' character. I understand that the author's and the character's beliefs aren't necessarily synonymous, and Duszejko has lots of outlandish ideas about the world, but I wouldn't perpetuate a stereotype about a marginalised group if it's still considered true by most people. Especially since the MC is very heavily Autistic-coded herself - it's a missed opportunity to point out common, yet lesser known Autistic traits like an extreme sense of justice or empathy for animals.
This is very much character and theme driven, so if you are a plot lover, this isn't for you. Nothing much happens for the most part. The pacing is poor, the story is repetitive and then gets wrapped up quickly and too neatly. At times it was a struggle to get through, but I still very much enjoyed it for the unique experience it offers.
It's a dense exploration of existential questions and I'm sure a lot of it went over my head because I haven't read William Blake who is referenced a lot. I'm also really not into astrology, but I can appreciate that Duszejko is a pattern seeker extraordinaire.
As a side note, I didn't appreciate the snide remark about 'testosterone autism' that was just there to stereotype an 'antisocial' character. I understand that the author's and the character's beliefs aren't necessarily synonymous, and Duszejko has lots of outlandish ideas about the world, but I wouldn't perpetuate a stereotype about a marginalised group if it's still considered true by most people. Especially since the MC is very heavily Autistic-coded herself - it's a missed opportunity to point out common, yet lesser known Autistic traits like an extreme sense of justice or empathy for animals.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Ableism
bomenvernietiger's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"In unison, they set about tearing up the plants that had been growing around their house until now, in order to plant others that they'd bought at a shop. It was hard to tell what logic was driving them."
"Deep inside their anthill, the Ants cling to each other in a large ball and sleep like that until spring. I only wish people had the same sort of confidence in each other."
'"Why are you crying?" I asked.
"You're so kind..."
"I know," I replied.
"What about you? Why are you crying?" he said.
That I didn't know.'
"Deep inside their anthill, the Ants cling to each other in a large ball and sleep like that until spring. I only wish people had the same sort of confidence in each other."
'"Why are you crying?" I asked.
"You're so kind..."
"I know," I replied.
"What about you? Why are you crying?" he said.
That I didn't know.'
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Ableism, Addiction, and Alcoholism
archiebb's review against another edition
the way this main character talks about her theory of men “getting autism” (followed by a reasoning that is extremely ableist about autism) made me immediately return the book to the library
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
jewelrybonney's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Body horror
enmybooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A pleasant read! Not what I normally read at all. I loved the authors use of language even though I was reading a translation. The characters and plot less so though it was still pleasant. The main character is a Karen in many ways though her actions make perfect sense to her and she does have redeeming qualities and is somewhat self aware. Fun to read through her thoughts as the plot unfolds. The twist at the end is obvious though the book doesn't hinge everything on trying to shock you with it, which is great. The ending was anti-climatic but I'm not upset by it or anything.
The main character did say some ableist things about autism though.
The main character did say some ableist things about autism though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Ableism
kllyholt's review against another edition
Did not finish.
It seemed interesting enough but I had to stop at the second chapter, because really, ‘Testosterone Autism’? The whole thing was really offensively worded and distasteful.
It seemed interesting enough but I had to stop at the second chapter, because really, ‘Testosterone Autism’? The whole thing was really offensively worded and distasteful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
bedtimesnack's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Grief, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Ableism, Child death, Confinement, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Racial slurs, and Sexism
basonok's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I lost track of the plot of the book midway through. I wanted to like this book but ableist and fatphobic commentaries ruined the book for me. I could see the author’s background in psychology possibly seeping into the writing, but it was in such an ignorant and irresponsible way towards neurodivergence and mental illnesses. While attempting to make a social commentary on the value of certain age groups, people with chronic illnesses and other groups in society, it was written poorly in my opinion and had at times the opposite effect in devaluing the appearance, mannerisms, and capabilities of other characters in the story (especially those not in the main character’s friend group).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Mental illness