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177 reviews by:
scripturient
Ginsberg is a very contested figure in general and I'm never quite sure how to feel about his writing. But I'm glad I gave this a try, I can recommend his readings of Howl for a more immersive experience as well.
Moderate: Death, Gun violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Dementia, Car accident
The plot was interesting in parts, other parts bored me to death, but overall, I just don't get the hype at all. But maybe I was too focused on the rampant sexual violence and misogyny, who knows. I think I'll stick to other writers from now on.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Murder
Moderate: Homophobia, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Trafficking
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Grief
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infertility, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Terminal illness, Transphobia, Religious bigotry
The first 150 pages or so the book read mostly like a classic Gothic novel - very slow pace, eerie setting, weird stuff but nothing outright scary, think Castle of Otranto - and then it just went batshit crazy.
In the end I did like it although it was too heavy on the sexual violence for me, especially since it did nothing for the plot other than paint certain characters as evil, which, duh, but that's a personal preference, I guess.
It was an interesting twist on Gothic tales but the first half was too slow to pick up with way too many repetitions and unnecessary details and in comparison, the ending then felt a bit rushed. I liked the writing style, though, and the story definitely kept me hooked for the most part.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Blood
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Incest, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Medical trauma
Minor: Rape, Cannibalism