Reviews

Sports Is Hell by Ben Passmore

haddocks_eyes's review against another edition

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reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

flatmtns's review against another edition

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4.0

Jaw-clenchingly intense, deeply and startlingly funny, pulling no punches. No heroes, only shades of fallibility or evil. A really powerful piece - leaves me wondering whether a longer book by this artist would keep up the same frenetic pace, or if there would be moments of vulnerability and peace.

rose_peterson's review against another edition

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2.0

Maybe this book has a niche audience--a niche audience that does not include me. I saw it on a Best of 2020 list and thought it could fit with a sports unit we do in one of my classes, but I'm not seeing why this was a notable mention. Sure, there was some chuckle-worthy commentary, especially Passmore's rendering of white liberals, but there was no convincing world-building, the plot was chaotic, and the dialogue was unbelievable.

rhollister's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

ian_se's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

thegayngelgabriel's review against another edition

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4.0

Biting, laugh-out-loud funny, infuriating. Even as the action spins out into ever greater absurdity, all the direct human interactions feel consistently plausible.

mfrisk's review against another edition

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Some interesting points but ultimately too short and too many ideas for them to really take hold and delve deeper into politics, organizing, or even sports and the ideologies discussed here briefly. Some funny moments but ultimately a missed opportunity. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

schwahawk's review against another edition

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dark funny tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

esselleayy's review against another edition

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3.0

Lightning fast, darkly hilarious, and takes all comers. Kinda bonkers. Not just about football. Proves anarchists can be funny.

ce_read's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny informative sad tense fast-paced

5.0