Reviews tagging 'Chronic illness'

Old Man's War by John Scalzi

2 reviews

wickedgrumpy's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No

2.0

This is my second book by John Scalzi and I’m beginning to think that they are not the author for me.  Their humor makes me cringe in secondhand embarrassment and I’m pretty sure it is not meant to have that effect.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Ableism, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Fatphobia, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Excrement, Islamophobia, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Deportation, and Pandemic/Epidemic

jacsu's review against another edition

adventurous funny reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

This was a very interesting idea. When you hit 75 you can join the Colonial Defense Forces (outer space military) and they, theoretically, make you young again. Of course, there’s always more to it than that. The main character gets thrown into situations that he’s both very prepared for in one way but totally unprepared for in others. The relationships, mainly friendships, are interesting and I loved following the main group of old people in the novel. There were some unexpected moments, including what’s actually going on with the CDF and the soldiers in the main infantry and the special forces. There’s humor throughout and I found Scalzi’s writing style to be enjoyable. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Medical content, and War

Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Body shaming, Cancer, Chronic illness, Fatphobia, Genocide, Infidelity, Grief, Alcohol, and Colonisation