kaiju_poet's review against another edition
5.0
Death Thing is a bizarre trip through a surreal moment in time. It follows a man whose anger turns into an obsession. Detailing loss, mania and the progression from self centered to complete madness.
There were several moments that felt like I was reading a Slasher Story. And at one point Gilbert states that he only cares about himself and others in relation to himself.
Is that a statement on the self destructive nature of narcissism? Is it a window through which we can view our own oncoming dementia and demise? Or does Hilbert just enjoy writing some fucked up stuff?
Either way, I enjoyed the book immensely.
There were several moments that felt like I was reading a Slasher Story. And at one point Gilbert states that he only cares about himself and others in relation to himself.
Is that a statement on the self destructive nature of narcissism? Is it a window through which we can view our own oncoming dementia and demise? Or does Hilbert just enjoy writing some fucked up stuff?
Either way, I enjoyed the book immensely.
thomaswjoyce's review against another edition
4.0
Mental!
Mental.
I'd like to just leave the review as that one word. Am I referring to the story? The characters? The author?
Yes.
But I like the sound of my keys clacking too much to just leave it at that. I enjoy Hilbert's style, equally funny as it is horrific. He can write some crazy-ass characters (see Invasion of the Weirdos), but Gil takes the biscuit. Frustrated by the repeated break-ins of his car, he sets up some amateur booby-traps that should see him sent to prison. But this is the bizarre version of America that serves Hilbert's funny imagination well and allows us to watch the insane and entertaining events play out to their extreme resolutions.
It makes for a fast read and, if you zoom through this, go check out Invasion of the Weirdos. I love Hilbert's thoroughly entertaining characters and dialogue and off-the-wall scenarios. More please!
Mental.
I'd like to just leave the review as that one word. Am I referring to the story? The characters? The author?
Yes.
But I like the sound of my keys clacking too much to just leave it at that. I enjoy Hilbert's style, equally funny as it is horrific. He can write some crazy-ass characters (see Invasion of the Weirdos), but Gil takes the biscuit. Frustrated by the repeated break-ins of his car, he sets up some amateur booby-traps that should see him sent to prison. But this is the bizarre version of America that serves Hilbert's funny imagination well and allows us to watch the insane and entertaining events play out to their extreme resolutions.
It makes for a fast read and, if you zoom through this, go check out Invasion of the Weirdos. I love Hilbert's thoroughly entertaining characters and dialogue and off-the-wall scenarios. More please!
More...