A review by cj_morvany
Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z. Brite

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I got this book because it kept popping up on various lists of disturbing a gory horror. If that’s what you’re looking for this is definitely it. Brite has a very poetic and shocking way of describing gore in a way that could make even strong horror fans uncomfortable.

Unfortunately I think that this is all the book had. I have realised from reading this that I don’t seek books that are just uncomfortable/scary but books that also feel like they have a clear theme. It’s unclear, if there was any, what point Brite was trying to get across with this story. To the point where the gore felt gratuitous. 

The book also felt under-edited, I was often distracted by unnecessary details, sentences/paragraphs that didn’t seem to add to the story and character’s actions that didn’t feel adequately explained. 

A book doesn’t have to be good at these things to be entertaining but, in terms of personal taste, I think I need more than just entertainment.