dannymonty's reviews
60 reviews

adventurous dark funny medium-paced

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

3.75

I’m not a quick reader but I flew through this novel by my standards. This is a profoundly strange, yet ambitious work that is great food for thought. I liked Cats Cradle a bit more, but I see why this one is the more famous novel.

Content Warnings

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.5

What do I even say. This book hurt me. It hurt me so poetically that I have to love it. Toni Morrison writes so confidently. She so assertively builds the world of her story that it is unquestionably real. I’m going to have to read something more cheery after this

Content Warnings

Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh

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challenging dark funny medium-paced

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

4.25

The movie which this book is based on is probably my favorite of all time. I like it better than the book, but Irvine Welsh's novel has a style and charm that can't be ignored. This is a challenging read. Without the glossary, I would have drowned in the Scottish dialect completely. Once you get used to it, the language becomes part of the fun. The novel switches perspectives a lot, often without warning. What is impressive about the heavy use of dialect is that, because all the characters speak differently, you can tell who is talking without their name being mentioned in the text. Overall, this book is a substantial collection of shocking, gritty moments that make for a unique and memorable reading experience.

Content Warnings