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nieva098's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
ruthmoog's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
My favourite thing about this was descriptions of Norway, specifically Bergen - the rainiest city in Europe - and Oslo - even the Kon Tiki museum gets a mention! - and Flåm too. Although, these are the scene for some grizzly unusual murders in the book.
Harry is an anti-hero, living with addiction and a dual reputation as a great detective and a terrible detective. He is fixated on sex and this seems to impact on all his relationships with women, and this feels like a book written from a male perspective.
There are lots of sub-plots which are parallels, eg the difference between Mathias and Rakels reactions to infedelity, the relationship to Norway's African communities through the shop and the unofficial medical clinic and the relationship with racism and popularity.
But mostly there are so many clunky absurd happenings, from the symbolic snowmen, the surreal action-movie montents from Harry, the mould man, the super clever detective moments juxtaposed with the super stupid detective moments... Argh.
Anyway, I thought it was good but not amazing. The murders were creative and horrible. I felt it would make a good movie, so I will probably watch the film interpretation.
Harry is an anti-hero, living with addiction and a dual reputation as a great detective and a terrible detective. He is fixated on sex and this seems to impact on all his relationships with women, and this feels like a book written from a male perspective.
There are lots of sub-plots which are parallels, eg the difference between Mathias and Rakels reactions to infedelity, the relationship to Norway's African communities through the shop and the unofficial medical clinic and the relationship with racism and popularity.
But mostly there are so many clunky absurd happenings, from the symbolic snowmen, the surreal action-movie montents from Harry, the mould man, the super clever detective moments juxtaposed with the super stupid detective moments... Argh.
Anyway, I thought it was good but not amazing. The murders were creative and horrible. I felt it would make a good movie, so I will probably watch the film interpretation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Child abuse and Stalking
Medical ethics abuse, stealing of personal data