leanneymu's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
If you can get past the unrelenting arrogance of the main character - coupled with his casual racism, sexism, ablism and almost constant fat-shaming - then the plot of this novel is mildly interesting. While I understand that Lucifer Box is meant to be a "magnificent bastard" type and a man of the era in which the book is set, the cruel distain the narrator seems to have for everyone else in the story, and his contrasting and unfalteringly high opinion of himself, mean he's really just exhausting. Gatiss's prose is surprisingly clunky too. All in all, a disappointing read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Gore, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Transphobia, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
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