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Scratched
Droves of the rich and beautiful have invaded the small town of Brawlton, forcing out the many generations of good-natured, wholesome townspeople. On the outside, these new inhabitants seem to have it all, but they soon learn that there is more to life than Botox, silicone, and spreading rumors while sipping on over-priced martinis.
There's something lurking in the woods, and it is hungry for blood.
There's something lurking in the woods, and it is hungry for blood.
- GenresHorror
96 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 2, 2023
10 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Matt Micheli
20 books110 followersMatt Micheli is a horror and dark-fiction writer out of New Braunfels, TX, author of The White, Two Minutes with the Devil, and Pornageddon. He has several fiction and non-fiction pieces featured in various magazines and anthologies and is a multi-contributor to This is Horror, Horror Sleaze Trash, and Horror Tree. A loving husband and father to a daughter and Husky dogs, he spends his days dabbling in domestication and his nights in Tequila, always searching for the next great story.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
March 10, 2023
What a great little read! The town of Brawlton has lots of clichés & money, with a creature that's on the look out for the lonely . . . Brilliant piece of erotic horror that was a satisfying night's read. I did, however, find the ending a little anticlimactic. I received an advance review copy for free from booksirens.com, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 3, 2023
I was first introduced to Matt Micheli's writing when I read The White as an ARC. I was so impressed by the story, I ordered a signed copy and then jumped at the chance to read Scratched. Just look at that cover art! Tell me it doesn't make you wonder what lies within its pages!
In Scratched we find the small town of Brawlton is becoming gentrified. Not in the way you would assume. Lower class isn't being forced out to make room for upper-middle class occupants. Instead the average middle class farmers, laborers, and shop keepers of this small town are being forced out by the rich and famous of LA. (In my opinion that is only the first horror of this story!)
Something else is creeping around the wooded surroundings of Brawlton. This invader is brutal and has a hunger for the loneliest of hearts who are taking over the town. Hang onto your martinis! This is a fast moving story that is guaranteed to make you want to grab a skinny latte with sugar free, fat free, preservative free, pasture raised everything while you read! The characters are paper thin and fake as can be. But wait! That's a character flaw in the characters themselves, not the writing. Try as I might, I couldn't make myself hate all of them. Now that is a sign of excellent writing.
Pick up a copy today - it's out now! I give Scratched 4 out of 5 razor sharp stars. And I can't wait for Micheli's next release, promised in June of 2023.
In Scratched we find the small town of Brawlton is becoming gentrified. Not in the way you would assume. Lower class isn't being forced out to make room for upper-middle class occupants. Instead the average middle class farmers, laborers, and shop keepers of this small town are being forced out by the rich and famous of LA. (In my opinion that is only the first horror of this story!)
Something else is creeping around the wooded surroundings of Brawlton. This invader is brutal and has a hunger for the loneliest of hearts who are taking over the town. Hang onto your martinis! This is a fast moving story that is guaranteed to make you want to grab a skinny latte with sugar free, fat free, preservative free, pasture raised everything while you read! The characters are paper thin and fake as can be. But wait! That's a character flaw in the characters themselves, not the writing. Try as I might, I couldn't make myself hate all of them. Now that is a sign of excellent writing.
Pick up a copy today - it's out now! I give Scratched 4 out of 5 razor sharp stars. And I can't wait for Micheli's next release, promised in June of 2023.
March 20, 2023
After reading Matt’s book ‘The White’, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one, just look at that cover!!
The town of Brawlton has been taken over by the rich elite, who have got tired of Hollywood, and who are basically driving out of town, the generations of families who have lived there all their lives. Family run businesses are being turned into expensive coffee shops, bars, and restaurants, turning this quaint little town into...well, exactly what the rich are moving away from in L.A.
We see Janelle, who is a 30 something washed-up actress, who now only gets offered supporting roles, who believes that her husband Jack is having an affair with the younger and very beautiful Gabriella. She spends her days with the rest of her Botoxed clique of friends, drinking cocktails and bitching about everyone else.
But there is something evil, stalking and killing the animals, and lonely women of Brawlton, which some believe is a Chupacabra, which “eets real” according to Juanita, Janelle’s housekeeper.
I really like Matt’s style of writing, and I’m liking everything I’ve read of his, so far. I must admit that I was a bit letdown by the ending, as was expecting something more climatic, and I would have liked to have seen more of the creature in the story.
This, for me, wasn’t a horror as such, but a kind of peek into the life of the privileged...a la ‘Real Housewives of...’
This was a good little read, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and I look forward to reading more from Matt Micheli.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The town of Brawlton has been taken over by the rich elite, who have got tired of Hollywood, and who are basically driving out of town, the generations of families who have lived there all their lives. Family run businesses are being turned into expensive coffee shops, bars, and restaurants, turning this quaint little town into...well, exactly what the rich are moving away from in L.A.
We see Janelle, who is a 30 something washed-up actress, who now only gets offered supporting roles, who believes that her husband Jack is having an affair with the younger and very beautiful Gabriella. She spends her days with the rest of her Botoxed clique of friends, drinking cocktails and bitching about everyone else.
But there is something evil, stalking and killing the animals, and lonely women of Brawlton, which some believe is a Chupacabra, which “eets real” according to Juanita, Janelle’s housekeeper.
I really like Matt’s style of writing, and I’m liking everything I’ve read of his, so far. I must admit that I was a bit letdown by the ending, as was expecting something more climatic, and I would have liked to have seen more of the creature in the story.
This, for me, wasn’t a horror as such, but a kind of peek into the life of the privileged...a la ‘Real Housewives of...’
This was a good little read, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and I look forward to reading more from Matt Micheli.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 24, 2023
This is sort of like a horror version of desperate housewives. Following the lives of the rich women of Hollywood and there’s certainly no growing old gracefully…….. especially when there is something lurking in the woods!
March 19, 2023
Got this as an ARC from the author. It's my third story by Matt Micheli, and it's only getting stranger. There's some chupacabra lore, some monster gore, and a lot of dark humor - plus some nasty down-to-earth truths (perhaps too many for a horror story?) about our modern, money-centred culture! The first part of the story feels like a reality show: we follow the antics of wealthy housewives, their catty mentality, and their spiteful exchanges. Then things go off the rails, as one of the housewives proves to be much more self-reflective than expected, and her world becomes downright bizarre. A legendary monster attacking lonely women appears almost out of nowhere, unhappy marital relationships get the spotlight, and Micheli seems to have a lot of fun taking his characters into rather weird directions. An enjoyable read, overall!
March 5, 2023
I knew after reading White by Matt Micheli, I knew I wanted to read this one after it was announced. This novella was fast paced vividly creepy. I loved the way Micheli described scenes. Especially when he described what happened to Abby when she went on a run at night. That is what initially got me hooked. Think of this novella as the Real Housewives and their drama meets horror movie. Hilary was my least favorite character as you will all agree once you read this haha. Definitely check this one out. You won't regret it!
May 28, 2023
The rich and the famous have began to move to a small town, taking it over and pushing the locals out while something is lurking in the woods.
Desperate housewives x a creature feature. It was a fun read but I wanted more of the creature through the story. More drama and on the lighter side of horror, slightly campy. Definitely want to read more from the author in the future.
Desperate housewives x a creature feature. It was a fun read but I wanted more of the creature through the story. More drama and on the lighter side of horror, slightly campy. Definitely want to read more from the author in the future.
August 15, 2023
Such a wild ride! I definitely enjoyed this one. Micheli's writing style is such a fresh breath of air. It is clean and unique. This story leaves you feeling satisfied and disturbed in all the right ways!
Can't wait for more!
Can't wait for more!
March 11, 2023
Matt Micheli is the king of the 80-page zinger!
The best way I can describe Micheli's latest work, Scratched, is Clueless mixed with horror.
Much like with his last book, Micheli can take fundamentally unlikable characters and depict them in such a way that the reader understands what makes them tick. They're still hateable on a base level, but the story goes to great lengths to explain why they're that way. Which is a pretty big deal for a book that's only 82 pages.
I do have a handful of criticisms although they're quite small: it's kind of hard to tell the difference between some of the supporting cast, although that might be part of the joke, I'm not sure. And I would say that this story is overall lighter in tone than his last one (admittedly this is more of a personal thing, but I still wanted to include that in the review).
But, other than that the character work in this tight (if you know you know) novella is profound as to be expected with Matt Micheli. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to anyone interested in the indie horror scene.
The best way I can describe Micheli's latest work, Scratched, is Clueless mixed with horror.
Much like with his last book, Micheli can take fundamentally unlikable characters and depict them in such a way that the reader understands what makes them tick. They're still hateable on a base level, but the story goes to great lengths to explain why they're that way. Which is a pretty big deal for a book that's only 82 pages.
I do have a handful of criticisms although they're quite small: it's kind of hard to tell the difference between some of the supporting cast, although that might be part of the joke, I'm not sure. And I would say that this story is overall lighter in tone than his last one (admittedly this is more of a personal thing, but I still wanted to include that in the review).
But, other than that the character work in this tight (if you know you know) novella is profound as to be expected with Matt Micheli. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to anyone interested in the indie horror scene.
March 27, 2023
A fun, slasher, A-List Housewife meets the Chupacabra novella! I was immediately drawn into this from the cover, it is absolutely fantastic!!
My very first read from Matt Micheli and I am ready to add his other books onto my TBR because his writing style for me is chef's kiss. It is vibrant, sucks you in, and just glides perfectly while setting the scene and immersing you into the world he has built.
The characters were written and described so well you feel you are at the table next to them watching this all unfold. The first Chupacabra attack was so brutal and so descriptive! Matt Micheli really puts you in the scene.
The only thing was I wanted more Chupacabra, and I want more of the the last half or third of the book, it felt rushed to the ending and I wanted more time with this story. Which really isn't to much a bad thing!
*Thank you booksirens for a free e-copy to read!
My very first read from Matt Micheli and I am ready to add his other books onto my TBR because his writing style for me is chef's kiss. It is vibrant, sucks you in, and just glides perfectly while setting the scene and immersing you into the world he has built.
The characters were written and described so well you feel you are at the table next to them watching this all unfold. The first Chupacabra attack was so brutal and so descriptive! Matt Micheli really puts you in the scene.
The only thing was I wanted more Chupacabra, and I want more of the the last half or third of the book, it felt rushed to the ending and I wanted more time with this story. Which really isn't to much a bad thing!
*Thank you booksirens for a free e-copy to read!
April 2, 2023
3.5 stars. This was an easy to read little novella, that was both gruesome and hilarious. My only problem was the two storylines (an ex-Hollywood starlet trying to fix her marriage, and a terrifying monster) didn’t really add any value to one another, and I felt like they could have been two separate stories. Luckily I found both aspects of the plot quite enjoyable and the laughs I got out of the characters made up for it.
Just turned 34 with a declining acting career, fake plastic friends, a cheating husband and an aging body, Janelle is struggling. This struggle is not helped when farm animals are being killed, and her housemaid Juanita insists this is at the hands of a chubacabra- a creature that eats goats and lonely women.
Just turned 34 with a declining acting career, fake plastic friends, a cheating husband and an aging body, Janelle is struggling. This struggle is not helped when farm animals are being killed, and her housemaid Juanita insists this is at the hands of a chubacabra- a creature that eats goats and lonely women.
March 13, 2023
A fun novella! Micheli NAILS the Hollywood elite while terrifying a small town turned 'hidden treasure' getaway for rich and famous.
One of my favorite things in well-written horror is that you can't get too attached to any of the characters because they are all in danger. That's the case with this one.
My only confusion came with the two main male characters, Jack and Jake. Those names are just too close to the same and I found myself having to slam on the reading brakes a couple of times to get a grip on which guy I was reading about.
Other than that, a top-notch-hairy-dog-bloody-gore-scarefest!
One of my favorite things in well-written horror is that you can't get too attached to any of the characters because they are all in danger. That's the case with this one.
My only confusion came with the two main male characters, Jack and Jake. Those names are just too close to the same and I found myself having to slam on the reading brakes a couple of times to get a grip on which guy I was reading about.
Other than that, a top-notch-hairy-dog-bloody-gore-scarefest!
July 12, 2024
This book was a fun read. I really enjoyed it. It had me on the edge of my seat at every page I turned.
Matt Micheli is a really awesome writer. The first creature attack was very well described that I could actually see it unfold. I felt her fear and her desperation.
The characters were very well written. I hated and liked them all at the same time. They made me mad, made me laugh and kept me hooked on the pages.
I had originally given it four stars but after a revisit, it is definitely a five star read for me. I would have loved to see more of the creature but the book in my opinion was absolutely awesome.
Matt Micheli is a really awesome writer. The first creature attack was very well described that I could actually see it unfold. I felt her fear and her desperation.
The characters were very well written. I hated and liked them all at the same time. They made me mad, made me laugh and kept me hooked on the pages.
I had originally given it four stars but after a revisit, it is definitely a five star read for me. I would have loved to see more of the creature but the book in my opinion was absolutely awesome.
May 21, 2023
This is the first of Matt Micheli’s books I’ve read, but it won’t be the last.
The only reason it took me so long to finish Scratched is that Sunday dinner, then my day job, got in the way. I was sincerely engrossed in the author’s fun tale of high society wives, the men they juggle, and the side cars with which THOSE men fool around. The story, easily devoured in one sitting, has everything you want in a beach read: killer monsters, comic relief, and some pretty delightful sex scenes. This is what Bret Easton Ellis would write if he were cooler.
The only reason it took me so long to finish Scratched is that Sunday dinner, then my day job, got in the way. I was sincerely engrossed in the author’s fun tale of high society wives, the men they juggle, and the side cars with which THOSE men fool around. The story, easily devoured in one sitting, has everything you want in a beach read: killer monsters, comic relief, and some pretty delightful sex scenes. This is what Bret Easton Ellis would write if he were cooler.
March 9, 2023
I was lucky enough to receive this an an arc for my kindle...I loved it! It was a quick and fun read. This is my second book from Matt Micheli and I am most definitely a fan. I love that this book threw in an old wives tell about what happens to women who are lonely but with a little twist! A definite must read.
March 14, 2023
If you’re looking for a creature feature mixed with vapid socialites, this is the book for you.
It’s short, gory, and mayyyybe needed a bit more revenge killing by the creature, but otherwise was a great story.
Thank you to the author for asking for reads and reviews from the BoH Freview group!
It’s short, gory, and mayyyybe needed a bit more revenge killing by the creature, but otherwise was a great story.
Thank you to the author for asking for reads and reviews from the BoH Freview group!
August 6, 2023
I went into this blind and while I enjoyed the story, it was a little light for me with the monster being a background character to the true car crashes of human beings that live in Brawlton.
But the main thing is I did enjoy it 😁
But the main thing is I did enjoy it 😁
December 7, 2023
This story could have been so much better if Matt Micheli would have introduced the characters better and made the story longer. There was so many unanswered questions, why, why, why? If it was not for the sex it would have been a dud!
July 20, 2023
Enjoyed
Wow. Chupucabra. Thats different. I enjoyed it. I like Matt's stories. They're interesting. This was another good one. Wasn't sure where it was going at first, but once it picked up... I liked it.
Wow. Chupucabra. Thats different. I enjoyed it. I like Matt's stories. They're interesting. This was another good one. Wasn't sure where it was going at first, but once it picked up... I liked it.
March 4, 2023
"Manufactured at Mattel, there were only slight variations of Kens and Barbies, all made of unblemished, lasered-smooth, artificially-dyed silicon, collagen and Botox, finished off with lipo-sucked bellies and cartoonish tits and asses that could only have been created in a lab."
Feel like getting sucked into the vapid lives of the social elite? How about with a sprinkle of monsters and gore? But only if it's sexy? Then have I got the story for you.
In Scratched we follow Janelle, an aging, washed up actress and fashion icon feeling like everything from her body to her husband is betraying her.
During the course of her busy life spent critisizing her house keepers' cooking, getting overly priced and terrible tasting drinks with her so-called "friends", and shopping for one of a kind fashion staples, we see that Janelle is a sad, struggling woman. Mostly told from Janelle's perspective with a few snippets of thoughts from other characters, we get the full picture of just how empty the lives of the rich and famous can truly be.
But if throwing pity parties for the one percenters isn't your thing then have no fear because with all this lonely wallowing and shallow postering going around, these characters have woken something big and hairy--with a taste for the blood of young, beautiful women.
While I didn't like this one as much as I liked The White (which was awesome and you should check it out of you haven't yet!) I still thought it was pretty entertaining. I definitely liked the whole "desperate-house-wives-meets-cujo" vibe and would recommend it if you're looking for a quick and fun read. Plus, look at that beautiful cover 😍
Feel like getting sucked into the vapid lives of the social elite? How about with a sprinkle of monsters and gore? But only if it's sexy? Then have I got the story for you.
In Scratched we follow Janelle, an aging, washed up actress and fashion icon feeling like everything from her body to her husband is betraying her.
During the course of her busy life spent critisizing her house keepers' cooking, getting overly priced and terrible tasting drinks with her so-called "friends", and shopping for one of a kind fashion staples, we see that Janelle is a sad, struggling woman. Mostly told from Janelle's perspective with a few snippets of thoughts from other characters, we get the full picture of just how empty the lives of the rich and famous can truly be.
But if throwing pity parties for the one percenters isn't your thing then have no fear because with all this lonely wallowing and shallow postering going around, these characters have woken something big and hairy--with a taste for the blood of young, beautiful women.
While I didn't like this one as much as I liked The White (which was awesome and you should check it out of you haven't yet!) I still thought it was pretty entertaining. I definitely liked the whole "desperate-house-wives-meets-cujo" vibe and would recommend it if you're looking for a quick and fun read. Plus, look at that beautiful cover 😍
March 2, 2023
SCRATCHED is erotic Horror [or Horror Erotica] from Matt Micheli, author of the terrifying Horror Novella THE WHITE. My first two thoughts while reading of the "Hollow People" of this story [no, not Monsters: Hollywood celebrities and "influencers" whose shallowness is exceeded only by their social sadism] was: let me run out to the fields with these slaughtered livestock so I don't have to remember these idiots exist; and then, I wanted to gather up the former, normal, solid, townsfolk, form an army, take back their town.
Then came the Monster. I won't go into detail, I won't spoil who "gets it," but I will say, as I've learned to expect from this author, there are a plethora of TWISTS. I'm not even sure I could count them. Also there's a theme of social commentary, and Mr. Micheli displays a remarkable understanding of the female spirit and perspectives; he "gets where we're coming from." I think this is especially the case with the non-celebrity, non-wealthy, non-Hollywood, folks. I think my favorite twist is a scene toward the end which I can't specify without spoilering. But it involves the Monster, and I think Mary Shelley would be proud.
Then came the Monster. I won't go into detail, I won't spoil who "gets it," but I will say, as I've learned to expect from this author, there are a plethora of TWISTS. I'm not even sure I could count them. Also there's a theme of social commentary, and Mr. Micheli displays a remarkable understanding of the female spirit and perspectives; he "gets where we're coming from." I think this is especially the case with the non-celebrity, non-wealthy, non-Hollywood, folks. I think my favorite twist is a scene toward the end which I can't specify without spoilering. But it involves the Monster, and I think Mary Shelley would be proud.
March 23, 2023
When loneliness kills.
Scratched is a horror novella about mostly rich & famous women in a "hip" small town. These women are shallow, care for themselves the most & do not care if they hurt people with their words, they do it on purpose.
Some of these women are not necessarily rich, but all of them have one thing in common: they're lonely to death.
Scratched is a fun take on the chupacabra tale, with a flowing writing style, that oozes sarcasm. The social commentary allthough a bit, if not a lot nihilistic ì, is spot on.
The story made me think about my own loneliness a lot, I identified with the main characters loneliness. Still I wished there were a bit more character developement with the MC, I would have loved for her to find her own self worth in herself and not in the relationships she has.
The novella would have benefited frrom a few more pages, just to really deepen the characters and plot.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read, that I would definitely recommend to any horror lovers, or to people who simply want an fast paced read, they can finish in one night.
+ I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. +
Scratched is a horror novella about mostly rich & famous women in a "hip" small town. These women are shallow, care for themselves the most & do not care if they hurt people with their words, they do it on purpose.
Some of these women are not necessarily rich, but all of them have one thing in common: they're lonely to death.
Scratched is a fun take on the chupacabra tale, with a flowing writing style, that oozes sarcasm. The social commentary allthough a bit, if not a lot nihilistic ì, is spot on.
The story made me think about my own loneliness a lot, I identified with the main characters loneliness. Still I wished there were a bit more character developement with the MC, I would have loved for her to find her own self worth in herself and not in the relationships she has.
The novella would have benefited frrom a few more pages, just to really deepen the characters and plot.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read, that I would definitely recommend to any horror lovers, or to people who simply want an fast paced read, they can finish in one night.
+ I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. +
March 4, 2023
Scratched is the Chupacabra story you didn't know you needed!
Matt Micheli makes me FEEL HIS CHARACTERS. This is my second Micheli adventure and both times, I'm sucked into the head of my main character and I'm not able to let go even after I finish the story. Whether it's humor, gut wrenching family dynamics, or just suspense inducing gore and trauma, I found myself pulled deeply within this "hoity-toity" universe with catty wives and even cattier creatures.
This story follows an unhappy woman as she finds herself truly mourning a lot of things in her life. Then the unthinkable and surely impossible happens, a creature strikes close to home. Or did it? You'll have to read this novella to find out for yourself.
Check this out and you surely won't be disappointed
March 6, 2023
The author has done it again! After reading The White I knew I would enjoy any book by this author just by the writing style. He has such a way with words that it sucks you into his novel and you just want to read it as quickly as possible. It being a short novel it still delivered a punch and brought on emotions and thoughts. I would definitely recommend anyone to check this book out! I was in a reading slump before reading this and it definitely got me out of it. I can’t wait to see the next book written by this author because everything feels like a masterpiece. In this book you’ll route for people, feel sorry for some, and dislike others. If you are ready for a good read, pick this up!
June 15, 2023
This one was not for me.
this was more like Desperate Housewives or Melrose Place story, a lot of rich people drama, with a guest appearance of a creature, I would have loved more action and horror with some comeuppance on the side for some of the bitchy characters.
this was more like Desperate Housewives or Melrose Place story, a lot of rich people drama, with a guest appearance of a creature, I would have loved more action and horror with some comeuppance on the side for some of the bitchy characters.
March 9, 2023
SCRATCHED: By Matt Micheli
Read this one in a single sitting tonight, and it was so much fun! 💄♡
Superficial lives shrouded in the darkness that this "creature feature" casts!
This was a quick, fun read, perfect palette cleanser for horror fanatics. Can't wait to see what else the author has in store for us down the line!!
4/5 for the fun "gore-filled" time I had reading this one! 👍
Read this one in a single sitting tonight, and it was so much fun! 💄♡
Superficial lives shrouded in the darkness that this "creature feature" casts!
This was a quick, fun read, perfect palette cleanser for horror fanatics. Can't wait to see what else the author has in store for us down the line!!
4/5 for the fun "gore-filled" time I had reading this one! 👍
April 9, 2023
A book very easy to get invested into. I think most of use dislike superficial, snobby people and love seeing them get a little comeuppance for it. This story feeds our need for that with characters that are easy to hate. Not too many Chupacabra books out there so this was great.
Now where is the cryptid for cheating husbands?
Now where is the cryptid for cheating husbands?
March 2, 2023
Micheli is quickly becoming a favorite! I love the supernatural aspect to his writing. I literally read this one in about an hour; I couldn't put it down. Just like in The White, he has a character you love to hate! Highly recommend this one. Can't wait to see what else he comes up with!
March 6, 2023
The women in this story are as fake a Hollywood and just as annoying. I'm glad one in particular had what she got in the ending. And for those finding themselves alone or lonely, watch out for the shredding nails of the chupabra.
March 8, 2023
**I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.**
This was a nice, gory, short read, but I was slightly disappointed with the ending. It just felt rushed to me. But this story was still awesome and highlighted well the vanity issues in today's society.
This was a nice, gory, short read, but I was slightly disappointed with the ending. It just felt rushed to me. But this story was still awesome and highlighted well the vanity issues in today's society.
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