Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'

Queer by William S. Burroughs

5 reviews

mitch_brook's review against another edition

dark reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism

Moderate: Drug use, Xenophobia, and Alcohol

avoticat's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-paced

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

2.5

I just don't think Beats style writing is for me. I did not particularly enjoy my reading experience, largely due to the flow of the narrative moreso than the very dislikable main character (the characters can be loathable and it can still be an enjoyable read if well-written). I don't necessarily think the style is bad, just not for me. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Grief, Stalking, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

The main character is responsible for most of the content warnings, he's not at all likeable. There is also a degree of financial abuse he holds over his romantic relationship, which feeds into the emotional and sexual manipulation and abuse.

jazz_themortal's review against another edition

reflective tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, and Stalking

Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, and Drug use

Minor: Body shaming, Pedophilia, and Slavery

marianneiriss's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad slow-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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, and Alcohol

Minor: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Gun violence, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Police brutality, Antisemitism, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

h_motionless's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional slow-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

4.0

Queer is shockingly risky for its time; it's crass, filthy, offensive, and of course, very queer. However, despite how filthy it is, it's somehow beautiful. It may not be politically correct, but its undoubtedly authentic. Burroughs masters verisimilitude in this novel, and even though not much happens, it still feels engaging. Overall, it feels like the plot of James Baldwin's Giovanni's Room, mixed with the style of Murakami's Hear the Wind Sing and Pinball, 1973, but if Charles Bukowski wrote the whole thing. It's marvellous.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Homophobia, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia

Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis