Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Bolla by Pajtim Statovci

23 reviews

harrydaylight's review against another edition

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3.75

I’m having such a hard time reviewing this book, or even rating it. 3.75 stars doesn’t feel right, but neither does any other rating.
As a Kosovo albanian, this book is so fucking difficult to read. I really don’t know what I was expecting when I first started it, but not that
It’s so incredibly depressing. And the main character is so unbelievably cruel, like I legit don’t have any words for him. 
What a dark, dark novel with such a haunting ending.
But it’s written so well, and it was hard to put the book down, even if it upset me at times. There’s something so tangible about the way this story is written, like I could reach out and touch it and know exactly what streets are being described, the people, the feelings, the depression and the awfulness of the war here, the aftermath. 
I wish it wasn’t this fucking sad though, but it’s a very realistic book and I can’t take that away from it. 
I don’t think I’ll ever reread this, but I’m glad to have read it. I know it’ll stay with me for a long time. 
Definitely go through the TWs for this one, it’s so heavy at times.

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happyknitter2020's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

So sad, hard to put into words. Tragic insight to others' experiences in our same, but so different, world.

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aislingreadssomebooks's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective 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


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ecarper's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced

4.0

Absolutely gorgeous writing and unflinching depiction of the aftermath of war and human limits. 

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georgiagokerr's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? No

4.5


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hellosmilagan's review against another edition

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dark sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5


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andthenweread's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense

5.0

with lyrical, haunting, and unflinching prose, this book develops into an unfathomably bleak story, but i couldn’t look away.

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eevi_222's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


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emilistevenson's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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afternoonlight's review against another edition

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dark sad
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Loveable characters? No

5.0

Excellent blend of mythology, diaspora, and a love tragedy set against the backdrop of war. Fucked me up!!

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