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challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An unusual book, that's pretty dark and depressing, with somewhat outdated themes. It's literary fiction so they don't always make much sense, but I could still appreciate the artistry of the writing, and there were some really notable and thought provoking philosophical sentences said by the protagonist.
The book is much more interesting when you know the story of the author's life. It felt like I was really listening to the thoughts of the author, not the MC.
I listened to the Spotify audiobook which was excellently read, but is why I don't have any highlights to share.
The book is much more interesting when you know the story of the author's life. It felt like I was really listening to the thoughts of the author, not the MC.
I listened to the Spotify audiobook which was excellently read, but is why I don't have any highlights to share.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Incest, Mental illness, Rape
Minor: Misogyny, Pedophilia, Pregnancy
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Since I restarted reading, I have been searching for this book, or rather, one much like it. The Blind Owl succeeds in all three aspects of great fiction--the story is gripping and interesting, the themes are poignant and relevant, and the prose is astounding and powerful. It's hard to look at this story and truly unpack it and find each little piece.
Even in its presentation, the book seeks to alienate and confuse the reader--there are five chapters, but only really 2 and 4 share 90% of the written text. The other three are short set pieces and framing devices. By the end of both the core chapters, Hadeyat starts to repeat passages of text, forcing the reader to go back and question whether they've read--and suddenly you realize you're going insane as you read the book, as reading the text itself simulates the same descent of insanity as the reader. The dramatic irony thickens in Chapter 4 when you see images repeat themselves in such a mundane fashion, and they are paced so well throughout the story you forget that they are coming--cypress trees, bone-handled knives, laughing so hard you get goosebumps--these moments all sing together in harmony, terrorizing the reader completely while the character himself exists in total unawareness.
Even in its presentation, the book seeks to alienate and confuse the reader--there are five chapters, but only really 2 and 4 share 90% of the written text. The other three are short set pieces and framing devices. By the end of both the core chapters, Hadeyat starts to repeat passages of text, forcing the reader to go back and question whether they've read--and suddenly you realize you're going insane as you read the book, as reading the text itself simulates the same descent of insanity as the reader. The dramatic irony thickens in Chapter 4 when you see images repeat themselves in such a mundane fashion, and they are paced so well throughout the story you forget that they are coming--cypress trees, bone-handled knives, laughing so hard you get goosebumps--these moments all sing together in harmony, terrorizing the reader completely while the character himself exists in total unawareness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Murder
Minor: Misogyny, Religious bigotry
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Alcohol
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Dementia
Minor: Cannibalism, Abortion
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Murder