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casutton's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
itadakinasu's review against another edition
4.0
After sitting on this one for a while, I've decided to settle on 4 stars.
Lutzke's writing is distinct but flexible. It adapts slightly in every work to convey his message in a unique way, and sometimes it hits all the right chords for me, but sometimes it just doesn't speak to me.
Wallflower didn't hit me like other Lutzke works have, but I've had some time to digest what I read and go back through a few passages. The writing itself is beautiful. Like other Lutzke, it's not overly wordy and relies on a combination of the tone and the slow ramping up of the tension.
The ending really threw me off, though. The symbolism was lost on me, and I still don't really know what to make of it, which is why I took off a star.
Lutzke's writing is distinct but flexible. It adapts slightly in every work to convey his message in a unique way, and sometimes it hits all the right chords for me, but sometimes it just doesn't speak to me.
Wallflower didn't hit me like other Lutzke works have, but I've had some time to digest what I read and go back through a few passages. The writing itself is beautiful. Like other Lutzke, it's not overly wordy and relies on a combination of the tone and the slow ramping up of the tension.
The ending really threw me off, though. The symbolism was lost on me, and I still don't really know what to make of it, which is why I took off a star.
liznannigans's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
stacys_mom's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
paulataua's review against another edition
4.0
After feeling guilt for giving the only less than enthusiastic review of Lutzke’s ‘The Pale White’ on Goodreads, I had the feeling that maybe there was something I was missing in his writing, so I decided to try another of his novellas. ‘Wallflower’ has the same clear and hard hitting writing, but this time it grabs you, and holds you right to the end. It’s a straightforward story of where a young man’s desire to try heroin just one time leads him. Honest and powerful! What else can you ask for?
It certainly won't be my last Lutzke.
It certainly won't be my last Lutzke.
pbanditp's review against another edition
5.0
Beautifully horrible. I am strong enough. Once and I am through. I just want to know what this feeling is that people would throw their life away for. So begins the downward spiral, but Chad Lutzke has such and amazing way of writting. For such a short story, he pulls all the emotions out
jo_in_bookland's review against another edition
3.0
This was a tough read about a rapid descent into addiction. The story was well written but I would have like more background info on the protagonist to know what motivated him to act as rashly as he did.
joselovesyou's review against another edition
5.0
Breathtaking, heartbreaking and beautiful. Chad Lutzke has become one of my top 5 writers.