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whatyoutolkienabout's review
Complication is an interesting collection of short stories that deal with humanity in all its raw and open detail. Unfortunately, and completely on myself, I missed the trigger warnings and I will say that even as a reader of extreme horror some of the elements of the writing were a bit too jarring for me. As such I came to realise that is collection was not one I personally enjoyed or would read again. However that is not reflection on the writer.
The collection is very human with characters who are, well most down on their luck, believable and well developed. I was surprised to learn that the stories all are based on at least a kernel of truth. I do think Pajalic is very brave to write in such a true way with no sheen to protect from the harsh reality. The writing is beautiful in a dark way as well but unfortunately while I can appreciate the style, tone and reasoning behind the novel I did not enjoy the collection. It may have been more suited to a longer novel format to develop a little more and it may just be me but as I say my reviews are always honest. But if you are looking for a stark look at reality for some immigrants this is a collection to read just be sure to check your trigger warnings first.
The collection is very human with characters who are, well most down on their luck, believable and well developed. I was surprised to learn that the stories all are based on at least a kernel of truth. I do think Pajalic is very brave to write in such a true way with no sheen to protect from the harsh reality. The writing is beautiful in a dark way as well but unfortunately while I can appreciate the style, tone and reasoning behind the novel I did not enjoy the collection. It may have been more suited to a longer novel format to develop a little more and it may just be me but as I say my reviews are always honest. But if you are looking for a stark look at reality for some immigrants this is a collection to read just be sure to check your trigger warnings first.
amicarlton's review
4.0
It can be a hard world for immigrants and working class people, and this book definitly shows that. A collection of short stories, each one full of heart-breaking situations and depressing tableaus.
The writing is quite beautiful and lyrical in this collection of stories. But the stories themself are hard, gritty, and sometimes just plain horrifying. They truly show the worst of humanity, and deeply disturbed me in several instances.
Fikret Pajalic has crafted something of great social significance, showing us a peek behind the curtain of what it's like to be a refugee or asylum seeker in a foreign country. The seedy underbelly of the world. And it is not a pretty place to be.
I understand what he was trying to do. Shocking us with difficult, extreme stories to hone in on the bad side of the whole experience. But there are other ways to show us. The extreme levels of violence and inhumanity in some of these stories seemed like violence for violence's sake. Not something I'm a fan of, as we've discussed before. But I feel it could have been achieved without such gratuitous, graphic violence. That is however my own opinion. Others probably feel differently. I didn't check my trigger warnings and that is my own fault, not the fault of the author.
Who's It For?
If you're interested in the human experience, especially that of refugees and immigrants, this might be a book you would enjoy. However, it is fiction, and it is a very difficult book. It is not easy, and I don't think many people will find it exactly enjoyable, so much as edifying or educational. Please check the content warnings before reading.
Content Warnings: This is one that the author does, thankfully include content warnings for. There is a QR code at the front you can scan to get them. He lists them as: graphic violence, sexual abuse, profanity, animal cruelty, racism, PTSD, loss/grief, medical trauma, religious or cultural trauma, homophobia. Some others I noticed were SI and eviction.
The writing is quite beautiful and lyrical in this collection of stories. But the stories themself are hard, gritty, and sometimes just plain horrifying. They truly show the worst of humanity, and deeply disturbed me in several instances.
Fikret Pajalic has crafted something of great social significance, showing us a peek behind the curtain of what it's like to be a refugee or asylum seeker in a foreign country. The seedy underbelly of the world. And it is not a pretty place to be.
I understand what he was trying to do. Shocking us with difficult, extreme stories to hone in on the bad side of the whole experience. But there are other ways to show us. The extreme levels of violence and inhumanity in some of these stories seemed like violence for violence's sake. Not something I'm a fan of, as we've discussed before. But I feel it could have been achieved without such gratuitous, graphic violence. That is however my own opinion. Others probably feel differently. I didn't check my trigger warnings and that is my own fault, not the fault of the author.
Who's It For?
If you're interested in the human experience, especially that of refugees and immigrants, this might be a book you would enjoy. However, it is fiction, and it is a very difficult book. It is not easy, and I don't think many people will find it exactly enjoyable, so much as edifying or educational. Please check the content warnings before reading.
Content Warnings: This is one that the author does, thankfully include content warnings for. There is a QR code at the front you can scan to get them. He lists them as: graphic violence, sexual abuse, profanity, animal cruelty, racism, PTSD, loss/grief, medical trauma, religious or cultural trauma, homophobia. Some others I noticed were SI and eviction.
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