Reviews tagging 'Rape'

Lapin Maudit by Bora Chung

42 reviews

bhoomika26's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Confinement, Miscarriage, Suicide, Excrement, Abortion, and War

Moderate: Genocide and Rape

hazardpossum's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-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

Some of the warnings may have less but i dont remember how much is of what so i put it all on the most graphic. The way she describes things and reveals elements is chilling. Kept me horrified yet intriguied i couldn’t stop. The stories were all perfectly long enough to get across what it was without overstaying it’s welcome. Each of them very unique and making me feel lots of different things. I only bought it bc i saw it in store and read the first page which was just ‘haha speaking toilet thing’ and thought it would be funny. But i’m glad it was so much more than that. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

potatonell's review against another edition

dark sad fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest and Rape

clavishorti's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I can’t deny that my first encounter with this book came through the buzz from countless voices repeatedly mentioning its title. They insisted it was a unique read, something to experience at least once in a lifetime. Intrigued, I decided to plunge into Bora Chung’s Cursed Bunny. 

 

Cursed Bunny is an audacious exploration that defies conventional genre boundaries and highlights the brilliance of this Korean author. Bora Chung skillfully intertwines elements of magical realism, horror, and science fiction, tackling themes of patriarchy and social issues in an extraordinarily bold way. Her approach is fearless, revealing even the smallest horrors without hesitation. Consequently, readers often find themselves pausing to catch their breath or taking time to fully digest the profound narratives. 

 

This anthology features ten intricately woven stories, each layered with complexity that might leave readers pondering their deeper meanings. As such, multiple readings are essential to unravel the rich tapestry of messages embedded within. What’s particularly fascinating is that each reader can interpret these stories through their own lens, which, in my view, is one of the book’s greatest strengths, prompting critical thought and deeper reflection. 

 

Next, I’d like to offer a glimpse into a few of the stories within Cursed Bunny. If you’re wary of spoilers, feel free to skip this part. 

 

In the first short story titled “The Head”, I found myself deeply moved and empathetic toward the main character, a woman burdened with overwhelming emotional weight. The narrative begins with her discovery of a ‘head’ that continues to haunt her. When she seeks help from those close to her, they merely suggest she forget about the head as long as it doesn’t disturb her. However, this head seems to serve as a metaphor for the emotional burdens and loneliness she experiences.

 

The appearance of the head coincides with significant moments in her life: as she steps into adulthood, begins her married life, when her child is born, and during the solitude of her old age. Each manifestation of the head marks a moment when she feels most vulnerable and isolated.

 

I perceive that the moment the head ultimately takes over her life is when she can no longer bear the weight of her loneliness. She becomes trapped in a profound cycle of solitude, represented by the head. However, this is merely my personal interpretation. I would love to hear other perspectives on this story if anyone has them.

 

 

The second short story, titled “The Embodiment”, also places a special emphasis on the female experience. Through a narrative that explores various aspects such as menstruation, contraception, pregnancy, aspirations, marriage, and even miscarriage, the author seems intent on conveying a profound message. Each of these elements is not merely a detail of life but a representation of the complexities and challenges women face throughout their lives.

 

In this story, it appears that the author aims to depict the intricacies of women’s lives. Menstruation, pregnancy, the use of contraceptives, and various societal expectations become burdens they must bear. Reflecting on how women navigate these biological processes—from menstruation to pregnancy—and the necessity of using contraception to manage their lives feels incredibly harsh and unjust.

 

Notably, the author embeds this social critique in sharp satire. The notion that taking too many contraceptive pills could lead to pregnancy is a brilliant twist. It underscores the irony and absurdity of the pressures women face regarding their own bodies. Through this satire, the author effectively critiques a society that often overlooks the burdens women endure, making the story not only engaging but also deeply reflective.

 

 

Meanwhile, the short stories “Cursed Bunny” and “Scars” focus more on the theme of revenge. Both narratives delve deeply into how revenge is a never-ending cycle that only brings suffering. The author illustrates that while revenge may provide fleeting satisfaction, it ultimately hurts the perpetrator and creates an unending cycle of hatred.

 

 

On the other hand, the stories “Snare” and “Ruler of the Winds and Sands” emphasize the theme of human greed. In these stories, the author clearly shows how greed can destroy a person’s life. Characters ensnared by their own avarice ultimately meet their downfall due to unchecked ambition, imparting the lesson that greed will consume us from within.

 

 

The author also introduces a tense horror element in “The Frozen Finger”. This story is filled with a chilling atmosphere and haunting sensations, adding thematic variety to the collection. Additionally, “Home Sweet Home” presents the story of a lonely woman who experiences betrayal, depicting profound feelings of isolation and disappointment.

 

 

The stories “Goodbye, My Love” and “Reunion” intertwine themes of loneliness and solitude. The author skillfully explores how these characters grapple with the shackles of their isolation. Loneliness becomes a strong thread running through these narratives, providing a deep emotional resonance for readers.

I had the pleasure of reading Cursed Bunny in its English translation by Anton Hur. From start to finish, the narrative flowed seamlessly, and I encountered no significant difficulties in grasping the stories. Anton Hur’s translation is nothing short of masterful; he meticulously preserves the nuances and intensity of Bora Chung’s original prose. His skillful translation ensures that the unique voice and unsettling atmosphere of each story resonate deeply with readers. 

 

Overall, the short stories in this collection emphasize themes related to women and complex social issues. The author skillfully captures various aspects of life, from revenge to loneliness and the unchecked greed of humanity. Each story encourages readers to reflect on the social and emotional realities faced by the characters, making this book both thought-provoking and captivating. For anyone seeking a bold and unique narrative, Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung is an excellent choice. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Blood, Grief, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Incest and Suicide

Minor: Rape, Vomit, and War

naa_'s review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Violence, and Blood

Moderate: Incest, Rape, Suicide, Torture, Car accident, and Pregnancy

Minor: Sexual assault, Vomit, and War

biscuitgale's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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

4.25

I usually steer clear of horror and short stories, so this wouldn't be my first choice of book, but I'm quite pleased I decided to read it. The stories are quite dark, confusing, and chilling that sometimes I rushed to end or had to put the book down altogether to take a break & process what I had just read. Some stories have surprising twists.

My favorite story was Ruler of Winds and Sands. It's also the most palatable story out of the book with the fewest horror elements. There are so many themes and complexities in these shorts that I'd like to give them all a re-read at some point.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Suicide, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Incest and Pregnancy

Minor: Rape, Sexual content, and War

headliner's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

3.5

Lewat 10 cerpen yang disajikan, Si Kepala dan Perangkap masih menghantui isi kepalaku dan merinding. 

Udah dari lama banget penasaran sama buku ini. Apalagi tiap baca review selalu dibikin deg-degan karena se-KACAU apa sih Si Kepala? 

Alhasil setelah dapat kesempatan untuk pinjam buku ini di Perpustakaan Cikini, aku bawa pulang, dan kumulai baca di perjalanan pulang. Perjalananku yang ditemani Si Kepala itu bikin aku merinding dan nahan mual. Gila deh imajinasi Bora jakka-nim! 

Karena kebetulan aku baca yang versi terjemahan bahasa Indonesia, aku jadi penasaran sama versi Englishnya. Siap merinding!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, and Blood

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Rape, and Pregnancy

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

_fallinglight_'s review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Gore, Incest, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Pregnancy

mementomoriiv's review against another edition

I read the first 4 stories, but started to get really overwhelmed with a sense of dread and also of extreme anxiety due to the dead animals and children. It's probably due to some stuff I am working through right now but it really hit a place that cause a lot of emotional distress.

The stories are really well written with interesting premises. Some are just emotionally draining. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail

vixenreader's review against another edition

dark emotional funny informative mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.75

The translation from Korean to English is a bit off at times. However, that does not dim the bizarre beauty of this collection. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Medical content, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Car accident, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Grief, and Gaslighting

Minor: Miscarriage, Suicide, Vomit, and Stalking

Be aware that there is characters slowly dying, hunger, starvation, c-sections, blood clots, mob violence, financial struggles, mentions of Nazism, and destruction of cities and families.