Caleb

The battle royal section (chapter one) is a masterpiece and maybe the greatest thing I've ever read. I honestly can't believe that this was published in the 50s. Everything about this book is so groundbreaking, from the ideas it presents to the style of writing and storytelling itself. Much of the story feels almost dreamlike, especially the battle royal section which is almost surreal in its telling. That section is just so powerful, disturbing, and visceral, I cannot give it justice. Can't say enough great things about this book, it is a new favorite for me.

Sometimes really good and sometimes infuriating and boring. The main character has a tendency to be the most insufferable incel freak loser I've ever seen in a book but manages to still have his likable moments. I preferred the books that took place in Unthank, especially book 3.

So it's kinda like Rango(2011) if you think about it

I enjoyed this and found the writing compulsively readable but I can't agree with the reading of Stoner as some sort of saint. He essentially rapes his wife (which likely contributes to the resentment she feels towards him) and doesn't do much to help his daughter who is both abused and neglected by his wife. While his quiet suffering is admirable in sections (I think his steadfastness to his principles in regards to the whole Lomax thing is quite honorable), much of Stoners suffering seems to be a result of him refusing to stand up for himself. I also think that Lomax and Edith can come across as almost cartoonishly villainous at times, to the point that they feel as if they are only there to provide painful situations for Stoner to manage.

Took me a little while to get into this but once i got into it I was very into it. The whole thing is very harrowing but the last third is especially hard hitting. Sarah's story is particularly tragic just because she never really fully understands what's happening to her. Also her “treatment” is by far the most disturbing part of the book.

The dialogue isn't split up at all which took some getting used to but selby gives each character such a unique voice that after awhile it gets pretty easy to tell who's talking. His dialogue for black characters can seem very stereotypical at times but I think part of that is done to differentiate the voices of the characters.