books_n_bananas's review against another edition
2.0
Meh.
As Palahniuk novels go, I think this is one of my least favorites along with 'Lullaby'.
As always, Palahniuk forces the reader into a weird version of reality that makes us ask questions--like 'Black Mirror,' but less Sci-Fi.
I'm not sure what exactly made this novel fall flat for me. I wasn't a huge fan of the characters--Tender was just unrelatable and was bland as a character--he did what he was told. That's that. Fertility was searching for meaning, but ultimately, also had no real drive or personality.\
The attention-grabbing schemes that Palahniuk usually employs were of course present--the mountains of porn, unintentional assisted suicide, intentional assisted suicide, murder hidden as suicide, unintentional murder, etc, etc. But it was monotonous--there was no drive forward through the novel.
I would say the ending was the most thought-provoking part of the novel and even that was kind of been-there-done-that as endings go.
tl;dr
All this to say, as novels overall go, it's not bad. As Palahniuk novels go, it's currently at the bottom of my list.
As Palahniuk novels go, I think this is one of my least favorites along with 'Lullaby'.
As always, Palahniuk forces the reader into a weird version of reality that makes us ask questions--like 'Black Mirror,' but less Sci-Fi.
I'm not sure what exactly made this novel fall flat for me. I wasn't a huge fan of the characters--Tender was just unrelatable and was bland as a character--he did what he was told. That's that. Fertility was searching for meaning, but ultimately, also had no real drive or personality.\
The attention-grabbing schemes that Palahniuk usually employs were of course present--the mountains of porn, unintentional assisted suicide, intentional assisted suicide, murder hidden as suicide, unintentional murder, etc, etc. But it was monotonous--there was no drive forward through the novel.
I would say the ending was the most thought-provoking part of the novel and even that was kind of been-there-done-that as endings go.
tl;dr
All this to say, as novels overall go, it's not bad. As Palahniuk novels go, it's currently at the bottom of my list.
wolfalex's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
reader_79's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lukeduke05's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
amy_da1sy's review against another edition
3.0
This is a book which had me confused for a fair amount of it and it was messy to read but fairly enjoyable.
theoryofhorror's review against another edition
dark
reflective
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
2.0
leneliest's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Self harm, Suicide, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Death of parent
vanitar's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting book, although there were some aspects of it that were difficult to reconcile how that worked in the real world.
Found it very informative as to how indoctrination can completely form, and sometimes ruin an individual and how strong one's formative years are on the rest of life. Although the book was a bit chaotic at times, there were moments of clarity and good food for thoughts.
Found it very informative as to how indoctrination can completely form, and sometimes ruin an individual and how strong one's formative years are on the rest of life. Although the book was a bit chaotic at times, there were moments of clarity and good food for thoughts.
patrickcline279's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The cult aspect was quite interesting. There's a fun little mystery here to unravel. I enjoyed all the random little facts thrown in. I was never bored.