Reviews with content warning for Incest - Cursed Bunny

Reviews tagging 'Incest'

Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung

107 reviews

hazardpossum's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-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

5.0

Some of the warnings may have less but i dont remember how much is of what so i put it all on the most graphic. The way she describes things and reveals elements is chilling. Kept me horrified yet intriguied i couldn’t stop. The stories were all perfectly long enough to get across what it was without overstaying it’s welcome. Each of them very unique and making me feel lots of different things. I only bought it bc i saw it in store and read the first page which was just ‘haha speaking toilet thing’ and thought it would be funny. But i’m glad it was so much more than that.

Content Warnings

tianaaaa's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Very strange stories yet oddly fascinating and not a boring read. It's a unique book that includes fantasy, horror, science fiction and fairytale aspects.
I don't understand why people are complaining about how disgusting it is - you picked up a horror book, what did you expect? The book explores themes like the patriarchy, capitalism and unusual creatures in unsettling detail.

My favourite chapters was:

The head - a creature being made from the leftovers of a woman's toilet and it invades and ruins her life

The embodiment - A women who got pregnant despite taking birth control and was told that she would have to find someone willing to be the father in order for the baby to be alright and healthy however she is too late and just gives birth to something that is sort of described as a massive blood clot. Interesting take on societal pressures and how a child not having a father figure may not be normal whist also showing pressures of a single mother.

Cursed Bunny -Very interesting an satisfying to read. A greedy business eventually gets teared to the ground because of the sheer amount of rabbits eating documents.

Scar - The longest chapter in the book being about 52 pages. I was sort of confused about the ending but it sort of gave the meaning where a monster doesn't need to be horrifying to indity, sometimes it can be disguised as a man. The chapter itself is quite sad but it's action packed so it's still a gripping read.

Least favourite:

Ruler of the winds and sands - a princess tries to help a prince with his curse but gets stabbed in the back, a story about self discovering. I just thought it wasn't as interesting as the others and just seemed as a cliche fairytale.

Goodbye, My love - Sort of reminded me of a black mirror episode as it was a sci-fi horror. Basically, a woman has 3 robots in her house but the first one no longer works so the woman wants to have her replaced by another and so she tries to order another. However, the other 2 robots help the old robot and they just stab the woman because they explain how they don't like being replaced. Whilst I didn't hate this chapter, I did find it quite underwhelming and I just thought it wasn't very unique.

There are other chapters but this review would be too long to write about every one. In my option, not every chapter was interesting and just did have that cliche plot which made it a less unique and gripping read however Bora Chung still managed to cover a variety of genres such as greed, patriarchy and abuse in a unsettling but also sometimes humous way.

Content Warnings

potatonell's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark sad fast-paced

4.0

Content Warnings

musicalpopcorn's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.25

A collection of strange and disconcerting stories, Cursed Bunny is unsettling, but addictive!

This book was so strange, but I was so into it!! The first story opens with quite a concept so the reader is prepared for everything that comes after, but I will say that story would also probably turn off a lot of readers…it was something else.

Content Warnings

clavishorti's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I can’t deny that my first encounter with this book came through the buzz from countless voices repeatedly mentioning its title. They insisted it was a unique read, something to experience at least once in a lifetime. Intrigued, I decided to plunge into Bora Chung’s Cursed Bunny.

Cursed Bunny is an audacious exploration that defies conventional genre boundaries and highlights the brilliance of this Korean author. Bora Chung skillfully intertwines elements of magical realism, horror, and science fiction, tackling themes of patriarchy and social issues in an extraordinarily bold way. Her approach is fearless, revealing even the smallest horrors without hesitation. Consequently, readers often find themselves pausing to catch their breath or taking time to fully digest the profound narratives.

This anthology features ten intricately woven stories, each layered with complexity that might leave readers pondering their deeper meanings. As such, multiple readings are essential to unravel the rich tapestry of messages embedded within. What’s particularly fascinating is that each reader can interpret these stories through their own lens, which, in my view, is one of the book’s greatest strengths, prompting critical thought and deeper reflection.

Next, I’d like to offer a glimpse into a few of the stories within Cursed Bunny. If you’re wary of spoilers, feel free to skip this part.

In the first short story titled “The Head”, I found myself deeply moved and empathetic toward the main character, a woman burdened with overwhelming emotional weight. The narrative begins with her discovery of a ‘head’ that continues to haunt her. When she seeks help from those close to her, they merely suggest she forget about the head as long as it doesn’t disturb her. However, this head seems to serve as a metaphor for the emotional burdens and loneliness she experiences.

The appearance of the head coincides with significant moments in her life: as she steps into adulthood, begins her married life, when her child is born, and during the solitude of her old age. Each manifestation of the head marks a moment when she feels most vulnerable and isolated.

I perceive that the moment the head ultimately takes over her life is when she can no longer bear the weight of her loneliness. She becomes trapped in a profound cycle of solitude, represented by the head. However, this is merely my personal interpretation. I would love to hear other perspectives on this story if anyone has them.

The second short story, titled “The Embodiment”, also places a special emphasis on the female experience. Through a narrative that explores various aspects such as menstruation, contraception, pregnancy, aspirations, marriage, and even miscarriage, the author seems intent on conveying a profound message. Each of these elements is not merely a detail of life but a representation of the complexities and challenges women face throughout their lives.

In this story, it appears that the author aims to depict the intricacies of women’s lives. Menstruation, pregnancy, the use of contraceptives, and various societal expectations become burdens they must bear. Reflecting on how women navigate these biological processes—from menstruation to pregnancy—and the necessity of using contraception to manage their lives feels incredibly harsh and unjust.

Notably, the author embeds this social critique in sharp satire. The notion that taking too many contraceptive pills could lead to pregnancy is a brilliant twist. It underscores the irony and absurdity of the pressures women face regarding their own bodies. Through this satire, the author effectively critiques a society that often overlooks the burdens women endure, making the story not only engaging but also deeply reflective.

Meanwhile, the short stories “Cursed Bunny” and “Scars” focus more on the theme of revenge. Both narratives delve deeply into how revenge is a never-ending cycle that only brings suffering. The author illustrates that while revenge may provide fleeting satisfaction, it ultimately hurts the perpetrator and creates an unending cycle of hatred.

On the other hand, the stories “Snare” and “Ruler of the Winds and Sands” emphasize the theme of human greed. In these stories, the author clearly shows how greed can destroy a person’s life. Characters ensnared by their own avarice ultimately meet their downfall due to unchecked ambition, imparting the lesson that greed will consume us from within.

The author also introduces a tense horror element in “The Frozen Finger”. This story is filled with a chilling atmosphere and haunting sensations, adding thematic variety to the collection. Additionally, “Home Sweet Home” presents the story of a lonely woman who experiences betrayal, depicting profound feelings of isolation and disappointment.

The stories “Goodbye, My Love” and “Reunion” intertwine themes of loneliness and solitude. The author skillfully explores how these characters grapple with the shackles of their isolation. Loneliness becomes a strong thread running through these narratives, providing a deep emotional resonance for readers.

I had the pleasure of reading Cursed Bunny in its English translation by Anton Hur. From start to finish, the narrative flowed seamlessly, and I encountered no significant difficulties in grasping the stories. Anton Hur’s translation is nothing short of masterful; he meticulously preserves the nuances and intensity of Bora Chung’s original prose. His skillful translation ensures that the unique voice and unsettling atmosphere of each story resonate deeply with readers.

Overall, the short stories in this collection emphasize themes related to women and complex social issues. The author skillfully captures various aspects of life, from revenge to loneliness and the unchecked greed of humanity. Each story encourages readers to reflect on the social and emotional realities faced by the characters, making this book both thought-provoking and captivating. For anyone seeking a bold and unique narrative, Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung is an excellent choice.

Content Warnings

almostqualified's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

4.5

Content Warnings

caitlin_rhind's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

naa_'s review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

bookforestsprite's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.0

Alles in allem hat mir der Band an Kurzgeschichten sehr gefallen. "Der Kopf", "Der Fluch des Hasen", "Narben" und "Herrscher über Wind und Sand" haben mir besonders gut gefallen, die letzteren beiden hatten tolle märchenhafte Elemente, die sie aber doch interessant unterwanderten. "Die Falle" war sehr verstörend, aber toll. "Der Eisfinger" und "Das Wiedersehen" hab ich abgebrochen – zu wirr oder langweilig.

Die Übersetzung könnte durchaus geschmeidiger sein. Besonders bei den Geschichten, die ins Fabelähnliche gehen, hätte man den Ton besser anpassen können.

Lektorat durchwachsen – viel zu viele Kommas überall.

Insgesamt eine Sammlung außergewöhnlicher, interessant verstörender Kurzgeschichten.

Content Warnings

biscuitgale's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

I usually steer clear of horror and short stories, so this wouldn't be my first choice of book, but I'm quite pleased I decided to read it. The stories are quite dark, confusing, and chilling that sometimes I rushed to end or had to put the book down altogether to take a break & process what I had just read. Some stories have surprising twists.

My favorite story was Ruler of Winds and Sands. It's also the most palatable story out of the book with the fewest horror elements. There are so many themes and complexities in these shorts that I'd like to give them all a re-read at some point.

Content Warnings

More...