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Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'
This Body's Not Big Enough for Both of Us by Edgar Cantero
3 reviews
anna_hepworth's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is the third of Cantero's books that I've read, and I'm not as head over heels about it as I was the others. As with the previous, it is a fascinating combination of meta-textual commentary on a set of genre tropes, and a completely over the top example of the same. I think that the reason that it didn't work for me is that I'm not as familiar with the genre, and so rather than being engaged with the cleverness (and the bits I did get were so very clever) sections felt really flat.
Also, I think the pace of the story was best described as frenetic. Which when there are madcap criminal Things happen, including car chases and shootouts, kind of makes sense, but I did find it exhausting to read and it took me significantly longer than I would have expected. I dialed it down to only attempting to read a chapter at a time, and that helped for dealing with the overwhelm, but meant that I wasn't as focused on the details of the plot as I might have been.
The central conceit, of two people in the same body, kind of worked, but there were lots of times where the science side of my thoughts got in the way, because the plausible deniability wore thin. Be interested in knowing whether other people find the same thing, and whether it is more that I just wasn't engaged enough. After all, I'm perfectly willing to hand wave lots of science bullshit when a story sells it to me.
As would be expected for detective noir, the characters are all a bit over the top, a bit charicatured, a bit flimsy. I didn't really mesh with any of the major players, finding the most believable one a bit part -- Ursula, kid sister of the fellow whose death is being investigated.
There are many great paragraphs, several fabulous scenes, but few gripping chapters.
All in all, Cantero stays on my 'buy on sight' list because their all in investment in deconstructing stories makes for a great read.
Also, I think the pace of the story was best described as frenetic. Which when there are madcap criminal Things happen, including car chases and shootouts, kind of makes sense, but I did find it exhausting to read and it took me significantly longer than I would have expected. I dialed it down to only attempting to read a chapter at a time, and that helped for dealing with the overwhelm, but meant that I wasn't as focused on the details of the plot as I might have been.
The central conceit, of two people in the same body, kind of worked, but there were lots of times where the science side of my thoughts got in the way, because the plausible deniability wore thin. Be interested in knowing whether other people find the same thing, and whether it is more that I just wasn't engaged enough. After all, I'm perfectly willing to hand wave lots of science bullshit when a story sells it to me.
As would be expected for detective noir, the characters are all a bit over the top, a bit charicatured, a bit flimsy. I didn't really mesh with any of the major players, finding the most believable one a bit part -- Ursula, kid sister of the fellow whose death is being investigated.
There are many great paragraphs, several fabulous scenes, but few gripping chapters.
All in all, Cantero stays on my 'buy on sight' list because their all in investment in deconstructing stories makes for a great read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Car accident, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent, Abandonment, Ableism, Drug use, Addiction, Alcohol, Infidelity, and Murder
carrotmix's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
While this book didn't quite reach the heights of its predecessor, Meddling Kids, it was still a fun time. Read like an episode of Psych. Not a huge fan of how this book handled gender and transness and relationships but I recognize it as well meaning either way. Edgar Cantero is like a straight friend from your childhood who tries but doesn't quite get it when it comes to covering queerness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Sexism and Transphobia
sunnymatsu's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I adore this book, it's my absolute favorite of all time. A noir comedy mystery about 2 detective siblings who were born in the same body. The writing style is creative and fast-paced, and incredibly unique! It goes back and forth between more traditional writing and a screenwriting format, which does an amazing job for both comedy and drama. The beginning of the book is a bit confusing, but stick with it!
I won't deny that some parts may ring transphobic. On my end, it seems more like a lack of information than any sort of malice on the author's part, though. But it's up to you to decide whether that's worth it.
I won't deny that some parts may ring transphobic. On my end, it seems more like a lack of information than any sort of malice on the author's part, though. But it's up to you to decide whether that's worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Car accident
Moderate: Death and Self harm
Minor: Transphobia, Racism, and Forced institutionalization
Other warnings: Syringe Use, A child character with a crush on an adult Notes: The self-harm is not in any typical form, but I felt it should be included as the scene itself is fairly graphic. To go into more detail,
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