whoischels's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Spoiler
characters have died off and been replaced by new, untrauma-ed characters.As the classic comedy of war book, it's a very comedic read. The comedic style throughout the whole thing undergoes its own character development in a way that is quite satisfying. It works to keep the horror of the experience of war at arm's length for the majority of the book and then slowly brings it closer for the end. Heller captures the comedic dichotomy between the very visceral body horror that people experience at war and the slow machine of bureaucracy.
My only complaints are that it's a behemoth to read. Heller can be describing an event that is comedic in its conception, but do so in a way that obstructs feeling, particularly in the first 2/3. I understand this to be intentional, but was still a bit frustrated with the masculine boringness of the prose. It's an odd experience to read something that has these features but still manages to be so dynamic and flexible in its plot structure.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Death, War, Medical trauma, Injury/injury detail, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexual assault and Misogyny
haleyd's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Graphic: Violence, War, Gore, Injury/injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Alcohol, Confinement, Excrement, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, and Trafficking
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Classism, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Police brutality, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Stalking, Terminal illness, and Vomit
A sometimes humorous, sometimes depressing classic full of paradoxes and contradictions that only prove themselves true, this take on WWII was a bit difficult for me to get through. Once I knew the writing style was to intentionally include these opposites, I became bored and would fall asleep after a few pages. It went more quickly toward the end, but then it was just so sad in some of the final pages, it was that what became the challenge for me. I'm reading this as part of a goal to get through several lists of "banned books" I've found. While I don't think any books should be truly banned, this one made me think several times, "Eek. This is part of the reason this was banned." Most of that is because it is so repulsive and very graphic. But also, things were quite different when this book was written which is evidenced by some of the behaviors wherein described. It could possibly be argued that children's minds are too vulnerable, but I would personally argue that I'd be confident letting my own teenage child read this, knowing that I've raised her well. However, I would definitely warn her that she likely wouldn't want to.kvrapcu's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Medical trauma, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence