Reviews

The Contortionist's Handbook by Craig Clevenger

_anthony_'s review against another edition

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3.0

3.5* ...not quite sure if I *got* this book, I feel like I missed something at the end or just didn't understand it!

weizdawn's review against another edition

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3.0

Well written but rather dark and depressing

tiffditto's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Wow! This book was like a breath of fresh air. The story was engaging in the same way as Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk. Highly recommend. 

cateatsbooksforbreakfast's review against another edition

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dark funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

crumb92's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective medium-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

3.0

jcoryv's review against another edition

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5.0

This is just a fantastic little book. I could have easily read it in one sitting, but I thoroughly enjoyed it from the get go and chose to stretch it over 10 days. Not much else to say, but read it!

selenajournal's review against another edition

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5.0

johnny, paul, danny, whoever he is, he's amazing. he's extremely intelligent. he's a master forger. and he gets godsplitters. with each godsplitter a new identity. i love this book because it's twisted, it doesn't end the way you think it does. it doesn't even begin the way you think it does. but my god does that ending leave you wanting so much more.

bookgirl1209's review against another edition

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4.0


What a weirdly, strange, sad book.

John/Daniel/whatever-name-you-can-think-of suffers from severe "godsplitting" migraines and as a result he self medicates. Because his self medication is not a precise science he often finds himself in the hospital due to an overdose which in turn involves a psychiatric evaluation to rule out suicidal tendencies. Each time this happens John/Daniel/Pickaname starts all over so there are no records of his history thus ensuring that he is never committed to a psychiatric hospital.

He creates a fully new identity with all the accompanying paperwork.

It's such a quirky story - I loved it. Made me want to go out and forge some documents and start a new life.

Thanks to Lara for recommending it.

devindevindevin's review against another edition

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5.0

this is what happens when you take your time and do your research and give every sentence attention

bexlrose's review against another edition

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4.0

I enjoyed it a lot. It was an oddly structured book but I enjoyed the novelty of that, it's mostly told through a psychiatric interview and the memories of a life that the questions trigger. Quite a fun way to tell a story, but I'm glad it was short as I don't think it could have held my attention too much longer. Well worth a read though. 4 stars.