Len

Pulpy, in the best way.

So boring and so much racism. 

strong argument
fragmented in parts 
wark is badass 

Uses horror to talk about wider societal issues. Manages to make gore poetic and strangely beautiful. Centers women's perspectives. 

I haven't read YA since being a teen and I have zero regret. Cathartic and queer as hell! 

There was crime and then there was punishment. 
600 page rebuttal of utilitarianism. 
Fever dream. 

Precise, yet poetic language
Great character study. 
No plot. 

If you like the desperation of A Little Life, but want it not told by a straight woman, this might be for you. Only read if elephant skin seems thin to you. 

an intimate insight into the relationship of two of my favourite thinkers. 
funny, raw and deeply intelligent. 

amazing characters
page-turner
great exploration of the american prison-industrial complex

This book should be my favourite book of all times. Sadly, it is not. 
I found Miris passivity not very believable, the explanation of why she is so passive unsatisfying. Not even bringing her into a hospital once? Really?Also, I wish the deep sea creature would remain unseen. Or take a bigger part. Feels neither here nor there.

I loved the protagonist, the lens of female mystics and the snark.
Not convinced of the James/Blandine storyline.

I am fully on board with the content and message, but struggling quite a bit with the structure. 

I disagree, but it's great. 

• needs a closer reading, really challenging language, but also full of humour 
  - shifts between philosophy, poetry and memoir

It's great, but there is no plot and no character development, be warned! 

Having a bit more information on Badiou's thinking might be helpful to truly appreciate this text. I wanted more context to each of the lectures, but it is a nice introduction to some of bis ideas. Enjoyed the combination of philosophy and poetry. 

Enchanting! 

Unclear with their definition of “bad”, weird selection of people to cover - speaking of: the best thing about this book is its cover, unfortunately you can't judge the book based on it. 

what a ride!

incredibly bleak
fragmented storyline
surprisingly sympathetic depiction of trans people
uses the queer person as secret pedophile trope

Switched to print edition

• emotional, gripping, affecting, hard to put down
  - questionable obsession with queer suffering 
  - reinforces stereotypical connection between homosexuality and pedophilia
  - author's presence in the text felt too strong and ubiqutous
  - the unfolding of their lives feels hard to believe
  - lack of strong female characters

This book is a lot of work and felt gimmicky in parts. But: It is also layered and rewarding and like nothing else I have ever read! 

As a person who does not read romance I found this surprisingly charming.