Pretense reviewed Whether Violent or Natural by Natasha C. Calder
Review of 'Whether Violent or Natural' on 'Goodreads'
1 star
DNF at 15%
I tried to get into this book; the premise seemed to fulfill my hopes that it would be a enjoyable read (and namedrops books I quite enjoyed, like Piranesi and Station Eleven). I like it when post-apocalyptic books get you to think about the world they depict, and especially how that reflects on our own. However, this book has a bizarre writing style, not to mention a protagonist whose way of thinking was alienating rather than inviting. There’s also a really strange quasi-sex scene in the first part of the book that felt really out of place. The book sends a lot of mixed signals on what type of book it is trying to be, and the mysterious nature of the setting and the characters only made me frustrated, not intrigued.
After trying to pick up this book several times, I am going to cut my …
DNF at 15%
I tried to get into this book; the premise seemed to fulfill my hopes that it would be a enjoyable read (and namedrops books I quite enjoyed, like Piranesi and Station Eleven). I like it when post-apocalyptic books get you to think about the world they depict, and especially how that reflects on our own. However, this book has a bizarre writing style, not to mention a protagonist whose way of thinking was alienating rather than inviting. There’s also a really strange quasi-sex scene in the first part of the book that felt really out of place. The book sends a lot of mixed signals on what type of book it is trying to be, and the mysterious nature of the setting and the characters only made me frustrated, not intrigued.
After trying to pick up this book several times, I am going to cut my losses—it’s just not for me. I don’t know if it necessarily deserves 1-star, but it was a 1-star read for me, so that is how the cookie crumbles.
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. Thank you to Abrams and The Overlook Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.