Reviews with content warning for Violence - Bunny

Clever dark themed descriptions and twists on ‘classically admired’ traits or appearances, use of language etc. However I personally couldn’t find myself particularly enjoying it (although could be part of the point) and

Spoiler

I wanted a bit more of a resolution (although the ending kinda fits with the general feel of the book)

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knkoch's review against another edition

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challenging dark

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

1.0

I struggled to connect with this and find meaning. I had a lot of issues reading this, some with form and structure and some with theme and character building.

Watching an interview afterwards between Mona Awad and Maragaret Atwood helped clarify Awad’s intentions for me, and I understand a little more that I struggled with the satirical, horror, and deep fairy tale symbolism she employed. I enjoy character-driven, emotional storytelling, and this is not that (which is fine, obviously). I think the unconventional twists horror fiction takes throw me, and I struggled here to be interested in the Bunnies, their creations, Ava, and most strongly MC Samantha. I always struggle to empathize with characters who engage in self-destructive drinking, which is a personal thing for me, but so much of the plot felt pointless and absurd, and I lost touch with caring about the characters or what happened to them. Perhaps Awad was trying to say something about people rather than through them, but I strongly prefer the latter. It’s not that I need characters to be virtuous or without flaws, but I need them to be interesting, and I could not sustain interest in Bunny’s characters.

The writing felt quite fatuous at times, leaning into excessive hyperbole, and I didn’t enjoy the style. I did like what Awad said about unbridled vs. controlled creativity in her interview, but I did not pick up on that enough in the book itself. I guess my most positive feedback is that this was definitely thought-provoking, in that even though I disliked it, it made me think a lot about why that was, what the author was going for, and what I didn’t understand!

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svblvna's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

oh how i love weird culty academia stories!! what a strange experience this was. i think it'll definitely stay in my mind for a while

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gabography's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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c_l_ara's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

2.0

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raitherabbit's review against another edition

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dark funny mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

Culty Mean Girls with a magical realism (almost sci-fi but not really) twist. I love how the characters are written, especially when they interact. It’s all so outrageous and a part of me might’ve loved reading this in my peak I’m Not Like Other Girls era. (I am definitely like other girls, but screw that Bunny book club to hell).

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edamamebean's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.75

Witty and funny and creepy and honestly just a great axe-wielding time. I especially love that I had no idea where the story was going for most of the book, and was just along for the ride. One of the blurbs said it was gonna be the weirdest book I read all year. It wasn’t (that award goes to Earthlings by Sayaka Murata without a doubt), but it was definitely very trippy. I think it had kind of similar vibes to the Netflix show Brand New Cherry Flavor. If you, like me, really really wish Carmen Maria Machado would write a full-length novel, then this book is for you.

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lianne_rooney's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny mysterious slow-paced

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? It's complicated

2.75

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