_a_r_u_'s review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
I read this in one evening and oh boy. Its not bad, by any means. It’s a classic for something. But the characters, their actions and the implied message of the author haven’t aged well. At all. I hated all of the characters (except one) for the entirety of the book, and the only moment I was finally able to empathize with one its not because they have changed their ways and had a remarkable development, rather because they were in a situation of extreme danger and stress. The descriptions were ok, the plot is genuinely interesting and it could’ve been so good if the characters and the message were different.
The “only white english culture is the way of civilized men” message was… definitely something… the absolute BLATANT fatphobia was also something… like, at least give the kid an actual name instead of a degrading nickname name…
Again, this could’ve been good (it’s a good book! It’s enjoyable!) but it aged so poorly and has so many terrible decisions that I can’t see it having much more repercussion in the future…
The “only white english culture is the way of civilized men” message was… definitely something… the absolute BLATANT fatphobia was also something… like, at least give the kid an actual name instead of a degrading nickname name…
Again, this could’ve been good (it’s a good book! It’s enjoyable!) but it aged so poorly and has so many terrible decisions that I can’t see it having much more repercussion in the future…
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Gore, Cultural appropriation, Death, Fatphobia, Child death, Xenophobia, and Animal death
Minor: War, Misogyny, Homophobia, and Torture
raveries's review
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is a brilliant book and a brutal deconstruction of the 'nice English kids are stranded on an island and have a jolly good time' trope popular in the first half of the 20th century. I hated it and would thoroughly recommend it.
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Child death, Fatphobia, Murder, Animal death, Child abuse, Classism, Death, and Racism
Minor: War, Racism, and Cultural appropriation
rueys's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-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
i hated this book soooo much. as much as i admire symbolism and admire analyzing it, the repetitive use of it essentially made it lose its meaning (which i guess what the book was trying to saying about society? but it was a pain to read). the descent into "savagery" that the boys go through is portrayed through racist diction and cultural appropriation. also it's so boring im so sorry god i hate white classics, they're full of racism and awful themes about society. if you're reading this book for school, im praying for you, good luck
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child death, Cultural appropriation, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Racial slurs, and Racism
worm_book's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Well written and an interesting concept, though the author's portrayal of 'savagery' makes me feel quite uncomfortable, clearly implying that British 'civilisation' is morally superior to a jungle/forest lifestyle.
Graphic: Child death and Murder
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Cultural appropriation, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Racial slurs, and Violence
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