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tregina's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not going to read anything else this year, I'm done, because I want to go out on this high note.
This short novel hits all the right notes: the style, the strangeness, the setting, the tension, the language. It's not so much the mystery of it (nor do I think it's meant to be), but the journey we take inside Josephine's mind as she navigates this world and the people in it. I don't think it'll be for everyone, but it was exactly right for me.
This short novel hits all the right notes: the style, the strangeness, the setting, the tension, the language. It's not so much the mystery of it (nor do I think it's meant to be), but the journey we take inside Josephine's mind as she navigates this world and the people in it. I don't think it'll be for everyone, but it was exactly right for me.
owlymay's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
audreyesp's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
suvata's review against another edition
5.0
What an odd, dark little book. I loved every minute of it. Note to self: Read more Helen Phillips.
mcqconor's review
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Super super super super weird
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
goblinhearted's review
3.0
In The Beautiful Bureaucrat, Josephine works for a mysterious corporation doing a mysterious data-entry job. The premise of sounded interesting to me, perhaps Severance-esque (the TV show). Over the course of the story, Josephine learns more and more about the nature of her job and why things are so secretive.
The main character had an interesting and whimsical narration style which juxtaposed nicely with the soul-draining nature of her job at a mysterious company that she knew very little about. These absurd and whimsical depictions gave me Night Vale vibes.
The "big reveal" was off-the-mark for me. Overall the book was short and entertaining but didn't quite live up to my expectations.
The main character had an interesting and whimsical narration style which juxtaposed nicely with the soul-draining nature of her job at a mysterious company that she knew very little about. These absurd and whimsical depictions gave me Night Vale vibes.
The "big reveal" was off-the-mark for me. Overall the book was short and entertaining but didn't quite live up to my expectations.
squirrelsohno's review
3.0
I don't think I was smart enough to understand this one. It was very odd. Maybe it was the writing itself? I enjoyed the plot!
3.25/5
3.25/5
gwang's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Dreary, hopeless atmosphere. Some compelling buildup unfortunately culminating in a lackluster ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
calmcelebration9888's review
OMG this book is beyond boring. It tries to be too much to be like an Atwood book. The first 58 pages the only thing that happens is that she gets a job, she meets a coworker and she lives in a dingy sublet with a boyfriend or husband with practically the same name as her. Josephine has no personality and her life sucks. There is nothing remarkable about this book. I wanted to find out what the drama was but honestly it’s so boring that I stopped caring.
I really dislike books like this with very little character development or plot. You have to give readers something that makes them want to read further. Huge disappointment.
I really dislike books like this with very little character development or plot. You have to give readers something that makes them want to read further. Huge disappointment.