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t_yl_r's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I went into this novel knowing that assault was the catalyst, but I don’t think tying comedy into it was that effective. There were moments where the book felt hard to enjoy bc of it. And OMG I couldn’t read this on the train/bus bc penis, pecker, or bird was basically on every page😭
The Tarantino-esque scenes like the beat downs and truck racing were entertaining, although “ladies heaving with desire” isn’t how I would personally describe how the women were written in this novel. Truthfully, the only saving grace for the portrayal of these women is that one of them got revenge.
I found the switching of character perspectives to be a little disorienting at times, especially in the last chapter. It for sure feels like it was written to be vignettes/flashbacks in a film, which makes sense in the context of a Tarantino film, but I don’t think it was as convincing here.
I’d have to read another one of Kurniawan’s novels to get a better grasp on their work, but overall, I don’t think i’d recommend this book to a friend
The Tarantino-esque scenes like the beat downs and truck racing were entertaining, although “ladies heaving with desire” isn’t how I would personally describe how the women were written in this novel. Truthfully, the only saving grace for the portrayal of these women is that one of them got revenge.
I found the switching of character perspectives to be a little disorienting at times, especially in the last chapter. It for sure feels like it was written to be vignettes/flashbacks in a film, which makes sense in the context of a Tarantino film, but I don’t think it was as convincing here.
I’d have to read another one of Kurniawan’s novels to get a better grasp on their work, but overall, I don’t think i’d recommend this book to a friend
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
babrehh's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Gripping and adventurous, the book is very very macho centric, even the lead female character had to be macho but overall a fast pace, action packed read. The book also explores the political backdrop of the time where 1980s Indonesia was ruled by a regime where the military was the highest power at play.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Murder, and Sexual harassment
liagatha's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
aptenodytes's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Violence
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