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porshainielsen's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is the type of book to give me nightmares and not in a fun, spooky way. This is one of the more disturbing books I have ever read. In some ways, the female main character reminds me of Pearl, from the A24 movie franchise. The absolute desperation to have a baby and to be loved by her mother, boyfriend or by anyone really, is incredibly sad. I think this depiction of mental illness is appealing because it is written in such a way that feels scarily atmospheric and fever dream like. I wish so desperately that fucked up books like this did not have animal violence in them. If you have any type of trigger for animal violence do not read this. I was able to set the chicken factory elements aside, but there is a scene with a dog that is absolutely vile. This book made me feel very nauseous and overall unwell. It is the type of book you need to watch an episode of Friends after.
Thank you to NetGalley and The Unnamed Press for this ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and The Unnamed Press for this ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gore, Infertility, Miscarriage, and Blood
Moderate: Infidelity
heather_harrison's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
“Even if I have thought the rules were stupid, I couldn’t break my conditioning” - Dee Dee, Deliver Me.
What the hell did I just read? This takes steps beyond a fever dream into a waking nightmare.
This was a fantastic reflection on how conservative Christianity warps the expectations of women and motherhood, the cycle of poverty and abuse, and the insanity that is the experience of pregnancy.
Our protagonist Dee Dee is enigmatic and bizarre.
What this story does is so well executed, but there is so much graphic violence, body horror, trauma and disturbing imagery that it is a hell of a journey to get there.
“Cults come and go… but the Pentecostal Church is forever”
Final point - Dee Dee only referring to her partner as Daddy was so disturbing, and caused me to nearly DNF at the beginning of the book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Eating disorder, Infertility, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Murder, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Infidelity, Sexism, Sexual violence, Blood, Stalking, and Death of parent
TW: Religious trauma