greenan26's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Homophobia, Sexism, Misogyny, Transphobia, Violence, and Sexual content
mrchickpeas's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
laticsexile's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
hiimkayte's review against another edition
1.0
I really wanted to like this book, and I read the first hundred pages, and then I had to give it up. It's not one story, it's different long chapters with different characters in the same larger circle. Maybe it'll all link up at the end, but it is just too slow, and painful.
megadan777's review against another edition
1.0
Hated it! This novel is a modern classic and widely enjoyed by many but I couldn't stand it. The novel is set in New York in the 60's with different short stories of people in lower socio-economic circles. I despised all the characters, especially the men who were mean and cruel to their wives, kids and so-called friends. Selby writes the novel without the proper grammar rules and tends to follow a conscious train of thought.
steg's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kaylamorin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
tom42's review against another edition
2.0
I can see how it was considered shocking at the time of writing, but I found that any impact of the subject matter was dulled by the poor writing and relentless negativity. All of the characters are flawed and none are remotely likeable so I didn't actually care what happened to them.
Despite my personal opinion, I would recommend it for those who liked Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh. Definitely similar in subject and feel. Except that I liked Trainspotting and was bored by this book.
Despite my personal opinion, I would recommend it for those who liked Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh. Definitely similar in subject and feel. Except that I liked Trainspotting and was bored by this book.
kriswasp's review against another edition
5.0
Quite simply: this is a masterpiece.
Legally not obscene, this is a hate filled collection of short stories bound by a writing style so intense and frenzied that it picks you up and carries you away with it, and it doesn’t care where you end up. This book moves, and it’s up to you to keep up.
It is raw and brutal, words I’ve used in reviews of one of my favourite authors Irvine Welsh, and without this book, Welsh’s do not happen.
Seminal in how it transformed the landscape of literature, for changing what writing and indeed reading could be, where the shock factor lies not only in the darkness of the lives of these people but in the eyes averted, in those for whom they feel are above this reality, this narrative, in those unwilling to see what this world creates and nurtures. What is but by the grace of God a mere parallel to your own life.
This will not be for everyone, but everyone should at least attempt to read it.
Legally not obscene, this is a hate filled collection of short stories bound by a writing style so intense and frenzied that it picks you up and carries you away with it, and it doesn’t care where you end up. This book moves, and it’s up to you to keep up.
It is raw and brutal, words I’ve used in reviews of one of my favourite authors Irvine Welsh, and without this book, Welsh’s do not happen.
Seminal in how it transformed the landscape of literature, for changing what writing and indeed reading could be, where the shock factor lies not only in the darkness of the lives of these people but in the eyes averted, in those for whom they feel are above this reality, this narrative, in those unwilling to see what this world creates and nurtures. What is but by the grace of God a mere parallel to your own life.
This will not be for everyone, but everyone should at least attempt to read it.