Reviews tagging 'Rape'

The Shootist by Glendon Swarthout

2 reviews

barffalo's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

namizaela's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

"I wish I had not been such a loner all my life. I wish I had been more worthy of love, and given a damn sight more. God I wish I had it to do all over again. I would do it better."

I think this book had a very clear goal in mind, and it accomplished it. I think the goal was to paint a portrait of a flawed, morally ambiguous man who, at the end of his life, makes good of the time he has left. I cried multiple times because of the sheer emotion. I wouldn't say the prose is beautiful, but it is understated and sincere and purposeful in a way that makes every word resonate. The relationship between John and the owner of the rental house was so sad, because it showed how John was (in my opinion) a good man underneath his reputation. 
I will say that
Gillom's actions in the end angered me. I was rooting for him to become good, but I guess the author was trying to show that not everything turns out the way we want it to? To me, it ruined the ending a little bit because it just shows the cycle continuing, and I was anticipating something more hopeful.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings