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bookph1le's review
4.0
4.5 stars
I thought this was hilariously savage, but also extremely poignant and uncomfortable--and I mean that in a good way. I really appreciate stories that push at my boundaries and challenge my thoughts and assumptions, and this one definitely did that. There is so much packed in her, so much social commentary and so many reflections about the state of our current age, and none of it felt out of place or egregious. This story was truly astonishing to me, the writing just so on point. I'm definitely going to seek out more of this author's works.
I thought this was hilariously savage, but also extremely poignant and uncomfortable--and I mean that in a good way. I really appreciate stories that push at my boundaries and challenge my thoughts and assumptions, and this one definitely did that. There is so much packed in her, so much social commentary and so many reflections about the state of our current age, and none of it felt out of place or egregious. This story was truly astonishing to me, the writing just so on point. I'm definitely going to seek out more of this author's works.
piaac's review against another edition
4.0
good read
I enjoyed the mini story. Was not what I was expecting. I would definitely read other work by this author
I enjoyed the mini story. Was not what I was expecting. I would definitely read other work by this author
misswinchester84's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jessdone's review
4.0
The writing on this is amazing. Just expertly written. I was living for the prose in this.
And I felt like I knew all the characters. This is a great short read with an "unlikeable" main character.
Mood wise it's kind of a downer. Which left me a little conflicted on how to rate this book. In the end, I gave it 4 stars because it's objectively a well-written story, and I think if my mood had been different, I'd have had a really positive reading experience.
And I felt like I knew all the characters. This is a great short read with an "unlikeable" main character.
Mood wise it's kind of a downer. Which left me a little conflicted on how to rate this book. In the end, I gave it 4 stars because it's objectively a well-written story, and I think if my mood had been different, I'd have had a really positive reading experience.
blackcatkai's review against another edition
tense
3.0
cw: body shaming/fatphobia, ableism, gun violence, death (children & adults), blood, gore, racism/colourism, abortion mentioned, infidelity, suicide
I like unlikable main characters. I wish we could stop with Harry Potter references in like, everything, omg. my anxiously adhd self really felt all the overwhelm & awfulness of the setting, but the story itself doesn't really feel like it fits with what the overall collection was going for. not terrible, would probably read something else from this author again, could've used a smidge bit more at the end.
I like unlikable main characters. I wish we could stop with Harry Potter references in like, everything, omg. my anxiously adhd self really felt all the overwhelm & awfulness of the setting, but the story itself doesn't really feel like it fits with what the overall collection was going for. not terrible, would probably read something else from this author again, could've used a smidge bit more at the end.
debsfielding583's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
catrad's review
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
hectaizani's review against another edition
3.0
One of a series of seven horror/dark fiction stories that are being offered to Amazon Prime members in the Dark Corners collection.
Our narrator, Reginald, is something of an asshole and that makes it difficult to really get into his story. I personally find it difficult to emphasize with people that I just don't like. Reginald is taking his wife and son to a family resort in the Poconos mountains for a getaway weekend. He doesn't want to go so he's in the mood to find fault with every single detail and he does. After his final confrontation where he discovers who he has become, he finally comes to the epiphany of his overall assholishness. Too bad he had to go to the extreme that he did to discover himself.
The description of the Poconos experience was the most horrific part of the entire story. I have an aversion to any spa retreat type setup with their bland, cookie-cutter lodgings, and their narcissistic entitled patrons.
Overall, the writing was excellent. I'm not familiar with this author so I'll have to check out the rest of her works.
Our narrator, Reginald, is something of an asshole and that makes it difficult to really get into his story. I personally find it difficult to emphasize with people that I just don't like. Reginald is taking his wife and son to a family resort in the Poconos mountains for a getaway weekend. He doesn't want to go so he's in the mood to find fault with every single detail and he does. After his final confrontation where he discovers who he has become, he finally comes to the epiphany of his overall assholishness. Too bad he had to go to the extreme that he did to discover himself.
The description of the Poconos experience was the most horrific part of the entire story. I have an aversion to any spa retreat type setup with their bland, cookie-cutter lodgings, and their narcissistic entitled patrons.
Overall, the writing was excellent. I'm not familiar with this author so I'll have to check out the rest of her works.
thatweirdbookgirlie's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I enjoyed the writing style. However this book was boring. I never cared what was happening. It was a jumble of a story where I never grasped the point of why I was reading. Author kept making social commentary about America and then never actually followed through with it.
monsieurbearr's review against another edition
2.0
A bit upset with this one.
I really enjoyed the writing style, and Reginald as a character, but the story is a big jumble and the ending was just a bit random.
With some finetuning and plot work, this could have been amazing, but I only give it a two stars since the writing style and its ability to keep me hooked.
I really enjoyed the writing style, and Reginald as a character, but the story is a big jumble and the ending was just a bit random.
With some finetuning and plot work, this could have been amazing, but I only give it a two stars since the writing style and its ability to keep me hooked.