spooderman's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Injury/injury detail, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
Moderate: Torture, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Suicide attempt and Death of parent
janiswong's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A dark, dystopian novel that was contemporary for its time centered around the loss of individual artistic autonomy. I enjoyed the lack of context and insight into personal lives. The book was much darker than I expected and I felt tense throughout the short book. Dick's writing is gripping, full of mystery, and leaves the reader to fill in the gaps. The short stories as independent chapters, taken metaphorically, reminded me of how technologies can also have dimming effects, as people may slowly lose their individuality through the wearing down by infinitely scrolling online... A much needed short read that feels fresh, poignant, and relevant, even though written 50 years ago.
Minor: Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Murder, Blood, and Death
nstew16's review
dark
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
For fans of dystopian literature, the introduction by Carmen Maria Machado is so full of insight and appreciation for the genre.
As for the book itself, the writing style alone was amazing. If you love the ocean, art, and reading, this book explores the beauty and responsibilities of both so candidly. Stylistically it reminded me a lot of Kate Wilhelm's Abyss.
I was also reminded while reading of the many reasons why I don't actively seek out horror. The last time I read anything resembling horror was reading Roald Dahl's The Landlady. It does exactly what it should as a horror.
It ends as I expected it to, with no resolution but a hint of hope. I don't think a reader can possibly as for anything more from this short exploration into what it means when creativity is feared.
Other books that They reminded me of:
1. Abyss
2. The Landlady
3. The Circle/The Every
As for the book itself, the writing style alone was amazing. If you love the ocean, art, and reading, this book explores the beauty and responsibilities of both so candidly. Stylistically it reminded me a lot of Kate Wilhelm's Abyss.
I was also reminded while reading of the many reasons why I don't actively seek out horror. The last time I read anything resembling horror was reading Roald Dahl's The Landlady. It does exactly what it should as a horror.
It ends as I expected it to, with no resolution but a hint of hope. I don't think a reader can possibly as for anything more from this short exploration into what it means when creativity is feared.
Other books that They reminded me of:
1. Abyss
2. The Landlady
3. The Circle/The Every
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Death, Grief, Mental illness, Torture, and Violence
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