Reviews

Heartsnatcher by Boris Vian

Only show reviews with written explanations

ximebarahona's review against another edition

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mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? No

2.75

avla's review against another edition

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2.5

Good, but not my style.

predawns's review against another edition

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Boring as fuck. Was promised "disturbing, vulgar and visceral". Ended up getting bored to death by some idiots whining about how much their life sucks, even though hardly anything happens to them.

sloatsj's review against another edition

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4.0

This is the madcap story of Clementine, the very overprotective mother of Joel, Noel and Alfa Romeo, three boys whose simultaneous birth cause her such anguishing pain that their father is exiled. The story is both hilarious and horrifying, and is told from the point of view of Timortis, a psychoanalyst who just happens to be passing Clementine’s home on the day of the boys’ birth and jumps in to deliver them.

Clementine becomes increasingly obsessed with keeping the boys safe, and pages are devoted to her spinning thoughts on all the dangers that could befall them. In the meantime, Timortis discovers the town – the market selling off old people at auction, the crucifixion of a horse, the abusive apprentice system, and Glory Hallelujah, a man assigned to absorb all the townspeople’s shame. Not to mention the vicar, who yells -

“God is not a utilitarian. God is a birthday present. A free gift. A luncheon voucher. An ingot of platinum. A priceless picture. A French pastry. God is something extra. And he is neither for nor against. God is eleven thousand buckshee trading stamps!”

before finally giving in and making it rain.

The boys themselves are also an entertaining and resourceful crew. One can’t believe they actually succumb to the imprisonment their mother plots out for them. They are a number of other odd and funny characters, and the dialogue is a pleasure.

If you like a surreal story told in a unique style, I recommend it. Although the plot and details are great, above all Heartsnatcher is for readers who enjoy inventive prose.

zbrebis's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Boris Vian is weird and the girls that get it, get it.

Content Warnings

rachel_the_managing_editor's review against another edition

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3.0

3.4 stars

Some memorable sequences here, but due more to their perversity or absurdity than something more redeeming. The things that came out of this man's mind: the strange town where all the residents' shame gets absorbed by a man (Glory Hallelujah) dressed in rags who fishes junk and dead things out of the river with his teeth, blue slugs make you fly, and love is truly suffocating. Better for the parts than the whole. But the vicar's sermon... I did quite enjoy that.