The demon flower: A novel;

by Jo Imog

English, German (translation)

Genres: Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Stevie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't a book that anyone will enjoy. It's bravely disturbing, deliberately challenging, willing to look into the darkest places in the human psyche, nihilistically sexual in a way that is never erotic, it is vicious, despairing, and unforgettable.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I came across a mention of this book on a website I frequently browse, and was intrigued by their description of the main character's "troubling unchildlike behavior". I found a copy online for very little money, and thought "Well, it'll be something interesting to read with a plain cover." While it does in fact keep my attention, I am not enjoying this book as much as I had hoped. It is written in a quasi-childlike style, with rambling sentences and frequent daydreaming that leaves me wondering what is real, what is not real, and if this child is on a form of narcotic. Half the time, I skim through a page only to have to go back and read three pages back to find out who a certain mentioned person is. Also, the main character/narrator is constantly being molested. I have read a number of books that deal with the theme of adult-child sex, or even sex between siblings, but the barrage of sex this child encounters seems absolutely and irrevocably ridiculous. If she is not being molested, she is molesting her sibling or touching herself. I find it impossibly hard to believe that even for a child who has been molested, the whole world consists of nothing but sex and violence. One passage mentioned her keeping corpses of numerous dead animals, the sheer number of which seemed, again, unrealistic. I wish I knew what Jo Imog's intent was in writing this book. She is clearly trying to say something, but it is being lost in the deluge of sex and degradation. I may or may not finish this book - if I do, it will take a lot of will power.

[Onyx · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe a lot of the hesitation and criticism around this book rests on the grotesquely confronting nature of how the child we follow deals with the sexual abuse rife within her environment. This lack of emotional attachment alongside her childish curiosity into the macabre is a very arresting combination within the plot. This book is definitely not beyond faults, but i believe to dismiss this on the grounds of it being “unrealistic” is to ignorantly assume that children don’t suffer repeatedly under the hands of pedophiles in their community, and this only alienates victims and perpetuates doubts against them. This book is uncomfortable and disgusting and melancholic and shocking. But is also raucous and bland and humorous and stagnant within the same breath. I don’t think i would recommend this book as opposed to encourage and the nuance between these is important. The themes are more important to consider than this specific book.

[Liv Archer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perverts love this one