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nathanlurker's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
mcerrin's review against another edition
2.0
I wasn't a huge fan of the writing style. And I'm still not really sure if I liked this story. It was so heavy on the teenage boy fixation with sex and penises, I was mostly just annoyed reading it. It dramatically switches from boring to shockingly disturbing gore that the in between just sort of got lost for me.
nuffy375's review against another edition
2.0
How I found myself reading this book:
My librarian, setting out various book options for our “Dark Fantasy” themed book club month: “This one is a more modern dark fantasy. I tried reading it, but I couldn’t finish because I was so disturbed.”
Me: “Challenge accepted.”
Well, I can certainly see why this book was described as disturbing. There are mutilations and gruesome murder aplenty. But what I did not consider when I set this challenge to myself is that it is a book about teenage British boys written by a British male author. What does that mean? It has a lot more masturbation and penis focus than I care for in my fiction. The story was a unique take on fantasy, and it had a lot of interesting aspects, but...the penis-centered writing is definitely not to my preference.
My librarian, setting out various book options for our “Dark Fantasy” themed book club month: “This one is a more modern dark fantasy. I tried reading it, but I couldn’t finish because I was so disturbed.”
Me: “Challenge accepted.”
Well, I can certainly see why this book was described as disturbing. There are mutilations and gruesome murder aplenty. But what I did not consider when I set this challenge to myself is that it is a book about teenage British boys written by a British male author. What does that mean? It has a lot more masturbation and penis focus than I care for in my fiction. The story was a unique take on fantasy, and it had a lot of interesting aspects, but...the penis-centered writing is definitely not to my preference.
hardscifi's review against another edition
2.0
Really Sorry
I love Paul Cornell's other writing but I just could not get into this book. It seemed unnecessarily chaotic. I love the City of London series so it's not the author, per se.
I love Paul Cornell's other writing but I just could not get into this book. It seemed unnecessarily chaotic. I love the City of London series so it's not the author, per se.
verkisto's review against another edition
4.0
Chalk is not an easy read. It's about bullying, and it's about perpetuating a cycle of violence. It begins with a shocking, permanent act of violence committed on someone who doesn't deserve it, and then takes us through a harrowing journey of revenge that doesn't satisfy.
Chalk is an important read. It's about bullying, and it's about perpetuating a cycle of violence. It begins with a shocking, permanent act of violence committed on someone who doesn't deserve it, and then takes us through a harrowing journey of revenge that doesn't satisfy.
Chalk is not a book with easy answers. It's not a book with sympathetic characters. It's not a comfortable book; instead, it will leave you feeling hollow, worn out, conflicted.
Chalk is a readable book. It's a compelling book. It draws you in with a flat, emotionless tone that belies its content, making the shock even more impactful. It leaves you with a "Did that really happen?" feeling, which is itself exacerbated by an unreliable narrator.
Chalk is a book you can trust.
Chalk is not for everyone. It's a tough book, but worth the effort. It's the literary equivalent of finishing a marathon, or swimming the English Channel. It's not perfect, but its imperfection makes it even better.
Chalk is an important read. It's about bullying, and it's about perpetuating a cycle of violence. It begins with a shocking, permanent act of violence committed on someone who doesn't deserve it, and then takes us through a harrowing journey of revenge that doesn't satisfy.
Chalk is not a book with easy answers. It's not a book with sympathetic characters. It's not a comfortable book; instead, it will leave you feeling hollow, worn out, conflicted.
Chalk is a readable book. It's a compelling book. It draws you in with a flat, emotionless tone that belies its content, making the shock even more impactful. It leaves you with a "Did that really happen?" feeling, which is itself exacerbated by an unreliable narrator.
Chalk is a book you can trust.
Chalk is not for everyone. It's a tough book, but worth the effort. It's the literary equivalent of finishing a marathon, or swimming the English Channel. It's not perfect, but its imperfection makes it even better.
airving's review against another edition
4.0
I think this would make an excellent movie. Especially if they could get the pop music from the eighties on the soundtrack.
norma_cenva's review against another edition
1.0
Actual Rating 0,5 Stars
I really tried, several times to be honest, but I just couldn't! It seems that there is an interesting story somewhere in there, for sure, but I guess this kind of reading is just not fore me, that's all!
I really tried, several times to be honest, but I just couldn't! It seems that there is an interesting story somewhere in there, for sure, but I guess this kind of reading is just not fore me, that's all!