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The Drunk, The Gambler, and The Lover
The Drunk, The Gambler, and The Lover is a novella about loneliness, isolation, and addiction, all stemming from the feeling of being unseen and misunderstood.
The Drunk lives in a mysterious, detached reality with a deep desire for connection.
The Gambler dreams of playing at the largest casino tables but is impulsive as he is clever and calculating.
The Lover is on the hunt for his darling and is as bold, hot-headed, and fiery as they come.
The soulful story of three degenerates begins here.
The Drunk lives in a mysterious, detached reality with a deep desire for connection.
The Gambler dreams of playing at the largest casino tables but is impulsive as he is clever and calculating.
The Lover is on the hunt for his darling and is as bold, hot-headed, and fiery as they come.
The soulful story of three degenerates begins here.
97 pages, Paperback
Published January 14, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 22, 2025
Disclaimer: I received an e-book copy by the author.
The Drunk (pronoun-less for the biggest part of the book) is an author, struggling with their work, the Gambler spends all his money gambling, not sure if he’s chasing a win or just chasing the thrill of the game, the Lover pines after girls. Their lives intersect at work and at home, they talk, they discuss philosophical topics, they depart, rinse and repeat. Each chapter portrays a new day and often the days blur together while reading.
The Drunk is a fascinating character, never being referred to with pronouns, but very clearly having some sort of (gender) dysphoria going on. The Drunk doesn’t care about appearance and even wishes to have a blank face, unable to be perceived, drinks and writes and works, but never finds any true pleasure in it. The Drunk is also disconnected from the people around them, always sitting on the sidelines, never crossing them and only interacting with the Gambler and the Lover. It takes a long time for the Drunk to break out of this shell, but any time they do, it feels like sunshine after a long winter, but it also hurts, like brightness does after having spent too much time in darkness. The finale was very satisfying and the unraveling of the character incredibly interesting to follow along.
This was not an easy book to read and if you are looking for a lot of plot or action heavy narrative you won’t find it here. But if you enjoy philosophical novels, novels with a narrator blurred in fog dissociating, and an interesting character study I can recommend this book. I enjoyed reading it.
TW: addiction, suicide attempt
The Drunk (pronoun-less for the biggest part of the book) is an author, struggling with their work, the Gambler spends all his money gambling, not sure if he’s chasing a win or just chasing the thrill of the game, the Lover pines after girls. Their lives intersect at work and at home, they talk, they discuss philosophical topics, they depart, rinse and repeat. Each chapter portrays a new day and often the days blur together while reading.
The Drunk is a fascinating character, never being referred to with pronouns, but very clearly having some sort of (gender) dysphoria going on. The Drunk doesn’t care about appearance and even wishes to have a blank face, unable to be perceived, drinks and writes and works, but never finds any true pleasure in it. The Drunk is also disconnected from the people around them, always sitting on the sidelines, never crossing them and only interacting with the Gambler and the Lover. It takes a long time for the Drunk to break out of this shell, but any time they do, it feels like sunshine after a long winter, but it also hurts, like brightness does after having spent too much time in darkness. The finale was very satisfying and the unraveling of the character incredibly interesting to follow along.
This was not an easy book to read and if you are looking for a lot of plot or action heavy narrative you won’t find it here. But if you enjoy philosophical novels, novels with a narrator blurred in fog dissociating, and an interesting character study I can recommend this book. I enjoyed reading it.
TW: addiction, suicide attempt
March 2, 2025
The passive voice while working around not giving The Drunk third-person pronouns in the narration (which could have been a good gimmick without the blowback) left the story feeling haunted by its main character. Cabinets were thrown open, drinks were poured, conversations were had, but it was merely suggested that it was The Drunk's doing, like how LaCroix has a suggestion of flavor.
I thought that all three titular characters were to go without pronouns after the first chapter with neither The Drunk nor The Gambler having them, but then The Lover was established immediately as 'he', and in the following chapter, so was The Gambler, which threw me off.
I felt myself in want of a plot, as literary fiction still needs a story to it, but much of the narration and dialogue between the characters felt like detached musings, only differentiated by quotation marks around the latter. The actual action of the story--The Drunk waking, trying to write, going to work, drinking, going to bed--was near the same each chapter, waking at the start and sleeping at the end; I thought it first to be a sort of groundhog's day time loop, but it revealed itself to be background to whatever topic The Drunk wallowed about and then shared with one of the other characters.
There are good bones here for a book, but they need significant substance put upon them to be satiating as a story.
I thought that all three titular characters were to go without pronouns after the first chapter with neither The Drunk nor The Gambler having them, but then The Lover was established immediately as 'he', and in the following chapter, so was The Gambler, which threw me off.
I felt myself in want of a plot, as literary fiction still needs a story to it, but much of the narration and dialogue between the characters felt like detached musings, only differentiated by quotation marks around the latter. The actual action of the story--The Drunk waking, trying to write, going to work, drinking, going to bed--was near the same each chapter, waking at the start and sleeping at the end; I thought it first to be a sort of groundhog's day time loop, but it revealed itself to be background to whatever topic The Drunk wallowed about and then shared with one of the other characters.
There are good bones here for a book, but they need significant substance put upon them to be satiating as a story.
January 27, 2025
This is a compelling, rather avant-garde work of literary fiction that follows the lives of three individuals, but especially "the Drunk". I had the privilege of receiving an advance copy so that I might leave a review.
It was an interesting and thought-provoking parable, and the author's use of language was incredibly enjoyable to read. However, the level of abstraction and the fact that I had a hard time understanding what was really going on, despite taking notes as I read, led to me putting down the book about halfway through.
I think many people, especially fans of Russian literature, will enjoy this book. I am recommending it for those who like more abstract and experimental stories.
It was an interesting and thought-provoking parable, and the author's use of language was incredibly enjoyable to read. However, the level of abstraction and the fact that I had a hard time understanding what was really going on, despite taking notes as I read, led to me putting down the book about halfway through.
I think many people, especially fans of Russian literature, will enjoy this book. I am recommending it for those who like more abstract and experimental stories.
July 20, 2025
a promising seminal work from a new author, with brilliantly vivid executions on themes of alienation, isolation, and disconnection.
though there is room for improvement, anyone should be proud to have this as a first work, and it is certainly worth a read.
though there is room for improvement, anyone should be proud to have this as a first work, and it is certainly worth a read.
February 2, 2025
It felt like Dostoyevsky-like characters thrown into industrialization era in a very good way. Overall it was a really intriguing read. I was really curious how the novella would end. My only issue was that both The Drunk and The Lover were unlikable in a way that bothered me since they never change some of their behaviours (using disrespectful language when talking about women, and about masculinity) and while it was done purposely to show that yeah, they're troubled people, it did broke my immersion a few times. But I liked the exploration of different life philosophies. The characters were interesting (The Gambler was my favourite of the three) and I think opting for an open ending was a great choice for this story, so I would recommend it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2025
A deep meditation on dissociation, addiction, and the self. The Drunk, The Gambler, and The Lover is an internal narrative made external, flush with dialogue, and metaphor. As The Drunk struggles to write her book, we follow her into her struggles with her body, her addiction, and holding her liquor. This book requires your whole undivided attention and is all the better for it. "Nothing occurs. Time passes, and more things do not occur."
April 7, 2025
not a huge fan of the “self-help disguised as fiction” genre
April 11, 2025
I think this book had great potential; giving the characters no names and removing them from all gender roles is brilliant. also the drunk is very relatable and expanded in their complexity.
still there was nothing profound about this book - conversation didn’t really added something new. it sounded like some semi deep convo you heard million times before.
also on page 53 the lover described the working class as soulless; „their bodies are static. their faces are soulless.“ points for the author because the characters debated on this but then he just let the subject down without coming to a point. first of all I think its extremely weird to put a finger on the workers, pointing out how unwilling and „soulless“ they are. a person who says that must be very privileged in my opinion. and I feel like the author quiet often starts a subject between their characters without coming to an end and just switching to something else and then the reader has many half-ends, half-beginnings. while yes, in floating conversations it is quite common to start a subject and letting it fall down but its a risk the author takes to make a character unsympathetic.
I think the book misses a plot. I read in a review before that every chapter is built up the same; the drunk goes into a bar or some other interchangeable place, meets someone, talks about his urge to write the biography, has some semi-deep conversation and then goes to bed.
still there was nothing profound about this book - conversation didn’t really added something new. it sounded like some semi deep convo you heard million times before.
also on page 53 the lover described the working class as soulless; „their bodies are static. their faces are soulless.“ points for the author because the characters debated on this but then he just let the subject down without coming to a point. first of all I think its extremely weird to put a finger on the workers, pointing out how unwilling and „soulless“ they are. a person who says that must be very privileged in my opinion. and I feel like the author quiet often starts a subject between their characters without coming to an end and just switching to something else and then the reader has many half-ends, half-beginnings. while yes, in floating conversations it is quite common to start a subject and letting it fall down but its a risk the author takes to make a character unsympathetic.
I think the book misses a plot. I read in a review before that every chapter is built up the same; the drunk goes into a bar or some other interchangeable place, meets someone, talks about his urge to write the biography, has some semi-deep conversation and then goes to bed.
January 18, 2025
A very compelling exploration into the lives and emotions of the titular characters. The wordplay is especially stunning.
March 16, 2025
(Copy received for free.)
This was a really beautiful book. I took my time reading the story because I wanted to make it last longer, and what struck me from the start was how introspective the work was. There's a tight focus on the title characters' mentalities and how it seeps through to the prose. It's snapshots of small moments tied together by circumstance, by proximity, by 'why not'. The prose shows fragments of a larger picture, and still manages to say all it needs while clearly wanting for something more. But much like the cast, you have to dig through memories for it. I'd say that could be part of the appeal, but keep that in mind if it doesn't sound like your thing.
I really enjoyed reading it. I'll be requesting my local library get a copy.
This was a really beautiful book. I took my time reading the story because I wanted to make it last longer, and what struck me from the start was how introspective the work was. There's a tight focus on the title characters' mentalities and how it seeps through to the prose. It's snapshots of small moments tied together by circumstance, by proximity, by 'why not'. The prose shows fragments of a larger picture, and still manages to say all it needs while clearly wanting for something more. But much like the cast, you have to dig through memories for it. I'd say that could be part of the appeal, but keep that in mind if it doesn't sound like your thing.
I really enjoyed reading it. I'll be requesting my local library get a copy.
March 26, 2025
This all felt a bit beyond me, honestly. I’ve read through it twice now, and both times I’ve come away with the feeling that something is happening, but I’m unsure if I’m missing it or if the story just never quite gets there.
I will say that the choice to not use pronouns for the Drunk is an inspired one. That, combined with the Drunk’s apparently complete lack of concern for their physicality, really spoke to me. It felt very true to what my own dysphoric fugue states have felt like. However, it does make the moment when the Drunk actually claims a pronoun feel a bit unearned.
There’s good bones here. The prose is outstanding — there’s a passage in particular with a workday described by a long series of -ing verbs that I truly loved — and the characters are interesting. But as stated, I felt like I was missing something the whole time.
I will say that the choice to not use pronouns for the Drunk is an inspired one. That, combined with the Drunk’s apparently complete lack of concern for their physicality, really spoke to me. It felt very true to what my own dysphoric fugue states have felt like. However, it does make the moment when the Drunk actually claims a pronoun feel a bit unearned.
There’s good bones here. The prose is outstanding — there’s a passage in particular with a workday described by a long series of -ing verbs that I truly loved — and the characters are interesting. But as stated, I felt like I was missing something the whole time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2025
3.75 I rounded up because I have a heart!
favorite characters - The gambler The drunk, the lover
Favorite scenes - NA
This book was good. The story wasn't my favorite per say, but the writing and themes were well thought out. I hope this author continues to write. Would love to see her voice in other genres!
favorite characters - The gambler The drunk, the lover
Favorite scenes - NA
This book was good. The story wasn't my favorite per say, but the writing and themes were well thought out. I hope this author continues to write. Would love to see her voice in other genres!
May 17, 2025
Full disclosure: I received a free digital copy of this book from the author for read and review.
This work is a tough piece to categorize. It's not quite speculative fiction or philosophical fiction, though it doesn't feel fully like it strictly sits in the camp of literary fiction either. Yet, it incorporates elements of all these things.
While the prose is beautiful, its hard to read. Not in the sense that the writing is difficult to interpret, but because there is a purposeful disconnect between the reader and the characters, the reader and the story, and the characters as they interact with once another. Just as each character has a vice that disconnects them from themself and their ability to truly be close to others.
The vices of our three main characters can be interpreted as the numbness of addiction, but it delves deeper than that. It's the lengths someone will go to in order to disconnect from the parts of themselves they don't wish to see or don't wish to understand.
I have a truly hard time deciding how I feel about this book. It's not a book I want to dismiss just because it's experimental in its story telling but I felt too disconnected from the story and the characters throughout the novel. It made it hard to care about the story and the circumstances. Dissociation is the atmosphere the author wants to put the reader in, and I very much admire this, but I'm afraid the atmosphere of dissociation was achieved a bit *too* well.
Maybe I'm being too harsh when I say I felt too detached. I wouldn't be above giving this book another try in the future and seeing if I feel differently at another time. I also would not try to talk anyone out of reading this book, as it was a unique experience and I think there is enjoyment to be gotten out of it.
This work is a tough piece to categorize. It's not quite speculative fiction or philosophical fiction, though it doesn't feel fully like it strictly sits in the camp of literary fiction either. Yet, it incorporates elements of all these things.
While the prose is beautiful, its hard to read. Not in the sense that the writing is difficult to interpret, but because there is a purposeful disconnect between the reader and the characters, the reader and the story, and the characters as they interact with once another. Just as each character has a vice that disconnects them from themself and their ability to truly be close to others.
The vices of our three main characters can be interpreted as the numbness of addiction, but it delves deeper than that. It's the lengths someone will go to in order to disconnect from the parts of themselves they don't wish to see or don't wish to understand.
I have a truly hard time deciding how I feel about this book. It's not a book I want to dismiss just because it's experimental in its story telling but I felt too disconnected from the story and the characters throughout the novel. It made it hard to care about the story and the circumstances. Dissociation is the atmosphere the author wants to put the reader in, and I very much admire this, but I'm afraid the atmosphere of dissociation was achieved a bit *too* well.
Maybe I'm being too harsh when I say I felt too detached. I wouldn't be above giving this book another try in the future and seeing if I feel differently at another time. I also would not try to talk anyone out of reading this book, as it was a unique experience and I think there is enjoyment to be gotten out of it.
May 14, 2025
(disclaimer: received a free copy from the author - proceeded to purchase thereafter)
This is not a plot-heavy novel, no major action scenes. Instead, the story is about The Drunk grappling with a heavy question of identity, often choosing to smother the difficult decision with drink rather than confront it head-on. The Drunk is a nameless, featureless character marked chiefly by their disconnection to the world around them. They engage with the world, drowning themself in work and surfacing only to philosophical converse with their flatmate The Gambler and workmate The Lover, skirting around the edges of the "real" problem. In addition, White signally narrates The Drunk with the passive voice ("feet were planted", "pen and paper were retrieved", etc.) which further contributes to a sense of numbness and alienation of character. The sum total is a tidy novella full of deliberate writing that reads very Dostoyevsky-esque.
As a transgender person myself, a lot of White's writing spoke to me on a personal level, but I don't think that one needs to be trans or queer to enjoy it. Anyone who has had to struggle with making a choice that will upend their entire lives, whether by work or family or morals, can identify with the painful apprehension that accompanies such a decision. And they can find solace in White's characters, knowing that they are not alone in their agony.
This is not a plot-heavy novel, no major action scenes. Instead, the story is about The Drunk grappling with a heavy question of identity, often choosing to smother the difficult decision with drink rather than confront it head-on. The Drunk is a nameless, featureless character marked chiefly by their disconnection to the world around them. They engage with the world, drowning themself in work and surfacing only to philosophical converse with their flatmate The Gambler and workmate The Lover, skirting around the edges of the "real" problem. In addition, White signally narrates The Drunk with the passive voice ("feet were planted", "pen and paper were retrieved", etc.) which further contributes to a sense of numbness and alienation of character. The sum total is a tidy novella full of deliberate writing that reads very Dostoyevsky-esque.
As a transgender person myself, a lot of White's writing spoke to me on a personal level, but I don't think that one needs to be trans or queer to enjoy it. Anyone who has had to struggle with making a choice that will upend their entire lives, whether by work or family or morals, can identify with the painful apprehension that accompanies such a decision. And they can find solace in White's characters, knowing that they are not alone in their agony.
March 26, 2025
- I absolutely loved the writing, it's style and descriptions were beautiful and helped with placing a setting
- The dialogue was quite hard to follow however with having multiple spoken sentences one after the other and no 'outside' descriptions between them (or at least very little)
- Really really liked the characters, particularly The Drunk and The Gambler — the naming and lack of physical descriptions for them was also very interesting and I loved the concept
- Wish there had been more of The Lover though, felt like he got quite cut off in the story at times
- The ending also felt kind of rushed — I absolutely understand how those things had to be expressed given the situation, but there had not been any indications of The Drunk feeling this way apart from generally depressed — and I feel like The Drunk could have had a better/better tied in explanation of why he was in fact a drunk
- Thought that The Gambler was quite perfectly portrayed though, but The Lover seemed like he was fighting between 2 personalities — he was a great character, but he wasn't that cohesive throughout the story
- Really enjoyed reading this
- The dialogue was quite hard to follow however with having multiple spoken sentences one after the other and no 'outside' descriptions between them (or at least very little)
- Really really liked the characters, particularly The Drunk and The Gambler — the naming and lack of physical descriptions for them was also very interesting and I loved the concept
- Wish there had been more of The Lover though, felt like he got quite cut off in the story at times
- The ending also felt kind of rushed — I absolutely understand how those things had to be expressed given the situation, but there had not been any indications of The Drunk feeling this way apart from generally depressed — and I feel like The Drunk could have had a better/better tied in explanation of why he was in fact a drunk
- Thought that The Gambler was quite perfectly portrayed though, but The Lover seemed like he was fighting between 2 personalities — he was a great character, but he wasn't that cohesive throughout the story
- Really enjoyed reading this
June 1, 2025
"That will come later. But do you see it? I know your struggles with your face and other things, yet none of this truly matters. You’re your own tormentor, and you willingly whip yourself, you now; you have the power to stop it any time you choose. Do you now how? It's simple. Thinking is a disease, and the heart is the cure."
mmm, it was definitely something. not sure if i did like it or not. the story follows The Drunk, who is a shapeless figure, does not want to be perceived either, and they are trying to write a book, however, with little to no success. they also spend most of the time talking with The Gambler or The Lover, which do leaves us with some interesting quotes. other than that, i have to say i found it quite boring and it took me a long time to finish it, even though it is a short book.
”I've thrown my life away by doing nothing but studying this game and that game, and I'm tired of the mind and its silly games. I have not truly lived, and that is what I want, above all. I want more out of life!”
mmm, it was definitely something. not sure if i did like it or not. the story follows The Drunk, who is a shapeless figure, does not want to be perceived either, and they are trying to write a book, however, with little to no success. they also spend most of the time talking with The Gambler or The Lover, which do leaves us with some interesting quotes. other than that, i have to say i found it quite boring and it took me a long time to finish it, even though it is a short book.
”I've thrown my life away by doing nothing but studying this game and that game, and I'm tired of the mind and its silly games. I have not truly lived, and that is what I want, above all. I want more out of life!”
July 21, 2026
No sé qué pensar de este libro. Es de esos que compras porque la portada y el pequeño texto de atrás te llaman la atención.
Está escrito de una forma muy poética; de hecho, todo el libro lo está. Siento que, si no estás en el mood, es difícil conectar con él. Incluso llegué a pensar cómo sería leerlo estando drunk, porque hubo momentos en los que de verdad nada me hacía sentido. 😂 Más de una vez pensé: ¿qué tomó la autora cuando escribió esto?
Pero bueno, el libro realmente no tiene un final como tal, ni una secuencia lineal. Más bien sigue a tres personalidades que conviven y hablan desde su propia perspectiva y forma de ver la vida. Yo conecté muchísimo más con Lover, aunque en general el libro tiene un tono medio dark, melancólico y bastante profundo.
Fue como leer un poema convertido en historia, con personajes. Nunca había tenido una experiencia de lectura así y, aunque terminé con muchas dudas, me gustó. Subrayé muchísimas frases buenísimas que espero compartir después en Instagram.
Y mientras escribo esto… creo que mi calificación sube a un 3⭐. Jeje.
Está escrito de una forma muy poética; de hecho, todo el libro lo está. Siento que, si no estás en el mood, es difícil conectar con él. Incluso llegué a pensar cómo sería leerlo estando drunk, porque hubo momentos en los que de verdad nada me hacía sentido. 😂 Más de una vez pensé: ¿qué tomó la autora cuando escribió esto?
Pero bueno, el libro realmente no tiene un final como tal, ni una secuencia lineal. Más bien sigue a tres personalidades que conviven y hablan desde su propia perspectiva y forma de ver la vida. Yo conecté muchísimo más con Lover, aunque en general el libro tiene un tono medio dark, melancólico y bastante profundo.
Fue como leer un poema convertido en historia, con personajes. Nunca había tenido una experiencia de lectura así y, aunque terminé con muchas dudas, me gustó. Subrayé muchísimas frases buenísimas que espero compartir después en Instagram.
Y mientras escribo esto… creo que mi calificación sube a un 3⭐. Jeje.
April 1, 2025
I really enjoyed this book.
The characters are uncomfortably relatable. I am pretty sure I worked with the Gambler, and one of my cousins is the Drunk.
The complex, bordering on wandering, prose really spoke to me. But through no fault of its own (because
I largely read this book at the hospital while my mom was dying) I found it hard to finish. Under different circumstances, this may have become one of my favourite books.
My only complaint is that it feels like White had written something even more verbose, but had been encouraged to pare it down. There are sections that are downright Dickensian followed immediately by sections almost poetically terse. It doesn't detract much from the readability, or at all from the story, but personally I want all the extra. But maybe I'm just wishing for more hours at the hospital.
The characters are uncomfortably relatable. I am pretty sure I worked with the Gambler, and one of my cousins is the Drunk.
The complex, bordering on wandering, prose really spoke to me. But through no fault of its own (because
I largely read this book at the hospital while my mom was dying) I found it hard to finish. Under different circumstances, this may have become one of my favourite books.
My only complaint is that it feels like White had written something even more verbose, but had been encouraged to pare it down. There are sections that are downright Dickensian followed immediately by sections almost poetically terse. It doesn't detract much from the readability, or at all from the story, but personally I want all the extra. But maybe I'm just wishing for more hours at the hospital.
April 13, 2025
I received a free copy from the author, and I'm so glad I asked for one.
This is an extremely well written avant-garde philosophical novella. I wasn't put off by the experimental nature of it, and found it very easy to get lost in the story. The struggles of the 3 characters (especially the drunk) were emotionally poignant. Even if literary fiction isn't your main genre, I highly suggest giving this story a try. I'll definitely be rereading it at a later date.
This is an extremely well written avant-garde philosophical novella. I wasn't put off by the experimental nature of it, and found it very easy to get lost in the story. The struggles of the 3 characters (especially the drunk) were emotionally poignant. Even if literary fiction isn't your main genre, I highly suggest giving this story a try. I'll definitely be rereading it at a later date.
April 16, 2025
A wonderfully thought-provoking piece of literature about the struggles we as humans face. An abstract piece which has three characters speaking of vulnerability, faith, addiction, and more. Emotionally intriguing, good pacing, fun phrasing, and for many people highly relatable.
If you enjoy a touch of surrealism with your intellectual conversations, you'll love this.
- Note: If you enjoyed Homunculus the manga, the tone and banter is highly similar. (No gore)
If you enjoy a touch of surrealism with your intellectual conversations, you'll love this.
- Note: If you enjoyed Homunculus the manga, the tone and banter is highly similar. (No gore)
May 11, 2025
Thank you author for the free copy on tumblr! Took me a while but what a delightful novelette. I genuinely wish it was longer just so I had more of it to read. Made up gay little guys having problems at its finest. Writing can be a bit dense but that’s a win for me, it fit very well with the characters themselves. Also had the rare but thrilling passive voice Win.
Story needed a bit more obvious plot imo but overall excellent first time at litfic, will read again.
Story needed a bit more obvious plot imo but overall excellent first time at litfic, will read again.
February 21, 2025
I rather enjoyed this read. It reminded me of a less absurd 'The Master and Margarita' in a way that it has a bold philosophical theme running throughout. It reads very much like Russian literature in that way, so if that's not your thing, I wouldn't suggest it. However, if that's your jam,I would highly recommend this book.
April 20, 2025
Very intriguing read, particularly as an aspiring writer myself, the Drunk's attempts to write a novel was something that spoke to me, even down to the self destructive cycle they seemed to get themselves into. Becoming disconnected from all other aspects of their life.
DISCLAIMER: I got a free copy of the the e-book from the author, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
DISCLAIMER: I got a free copy of the the e-book from the author, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 24, 2025
Alright so, without any spoilers, this books is just beautiful.
It’s incredibly introspective and it has so much in just three characters. The ending had me in tears, and this one’s definitely a reread. There’s layaers upon layers and I loved the idea of it
It’s incredibly introspective and it has so much in just three characters. The ending had me in tears, and this one’s definitely a reread. There’s layaers upon layers and I loved the idea of it
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February 10, 2025If you like Russian literature you will like this. The life philosophy presented was great and the use of language used by author was charming.
4/5 stars
4/5 stars
January 12, 2026
The book is rather avant-garde, which drew me in immediately. I loved the romantically critical tone taken toward the three characters. A short, fun read.
May 10, 2026
Nice writing but couldn’t stay engaged because I had no idea what was going on. Very on the nose dialogue. Could benefit from subtext.
May 7, 2025
i loved this in such a small, quiet way. i loved the formation of the characters, the way things were drip-fed and revealed bit by tiny bit. great book, great characters, great life lessons
November 14, 2025
This book is short, thoughtful, has a gorgeous cover, and reads like the kind of avant garde work that a very gifted college student would write over their sophomore year. The talent really comes through in the prose, with the Drunk’s benders being particularly well written—probably the most sinisterly beautiful, vivid descriptions of alcohol consumption I have ever read, even as they make me a little jealous that I don’t taste what the protagonist tastes when drinking whisky. You can tell that the author went over every page with care, but it’s very light in terms of story, and sadly has trouble differentiating the actual voices of its characters. They have different stances in the many philosophical conversations that they have, but will all use the same words and the same flow to their sentences, as they just sort of vibe until the end finally comes. It’s not a bad story, and I would definitely come back to read another work by the author, but I feel that there’s a lot more polish here than there is substance.
And in keeping with my usual gimmick, I arranged what I gleaned from the actual story itself into a haiku:
"At its core, vice is
A crack in the soul someone
Tried to hide with paint."
And in keeping with my usual gimmick, I arranged what I gleaned from the actual story itself into a haiku:
"At its core, vice is
A crack in the soul someone
Tried to hide with paint."
January 29, 2025
The blurb and cover piqued my interest greatly and I was not disappointed.
The prose inside and the cover presenting it fit together so nicely and are equally and similarly beautiful. I love how the story itself feels almost like a poem while being partly about the process of writing.
I felt very seen by this as both a writer and as a queer person. The feeling of disconnect between self and body and age and world is strong in this story and is very relatable. How writers/artblock feels is captured so well— especially how it interacts with feeling isolated.
It might be a little if you get it you get it, but if so, I can’t actually tell, because, well… I get it so so much.
The prose inside and the cover presenting it fit together so nicely and are equally and similarly beautiful. I love how the story itself feels almost like a poem while being partly about the process of writing.
I felt very seen by this as both a writer and as a queer person. The feeling of disconnect between self and body and age and world is strong in this story and is very relatable. How writers/artblock feels is captured so well— especially how it interacts with feeling isolated.
It might be a little if you get it you get it, but if so, I can’t actually tell, because, well… I get it so so much.
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