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[This is a discussion topic for the March 2016 book of the month Eating Bull by Carrie Rubin.]


Many parts of the book were relatively gruesome. Did this bother you? Would you have preferred the book be less gruesome or not?


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I routinely read much worse, so no, I wasn't bothered.

It also seemed that it was the correct amount of gruesome when it needed to be, not overdone, nor under. At least to me.

I have read worse too. Some scenes were gruesome, but as Gravy said they weren't overdone.

I have read worse. I thought it was just gruesome enough that they got the point across. The scenes not overdone at all.

Personally, I liked the level of gross this thriller contained. It made it more real to me. I don't mind reading/seeing gore, but I do mind hearing it (I cant do Saw or Jaws because the screaming gives me nightmares...)

I have definitely read worse. I agree with Kaitlyn that the graphic scenes were described with just enough detail, nothing more. I also think that having Darwin methodically commit the murders with a calm precision, as opposed to being rage-filled, made those scenes less gruesome.

It wasn't too gruesome for me. I knew that the book involved a murderer when I began reading, so I expected a certain amount of gore. In fact, I was more disturbed by the treadmill murder than any of the ones involving a blade!

LivreAmour217 wrote:It wasn't too gruesome for me. I knew that the book involved a murderer when I began reading, so I expected a certain amount of gore. In fact, I was more disturbed by the treadmill murder than any of the ones involving a blade!

I totally agree that the treadmill murder was more horrifying than the other ones. I think it's because the woman was kept alive for a time and forced to do things that killed her. The other people died quickly, even though the scenes were graphic.

bookowlie wrote: I totally agree that the treadmill murder was more horrifying than the other ones. I think it's because the woman was kept alive for a time and forced to do things that killed her. The other people died quickly, even though the scenes were graphic.

That's exactly why it creeped me out! That poor woman was tortured before she died, whereas Darwin killed the others quickly.

LivreAmour217 wrote:

bookowlie wrote: I totally agree that the treadmill murder was more horrifying than the other ones. I think it's because the woman was kept alive for a time and forced to do things that killed her. The other people died quickly, even though the scenes were graphic.

That's exactly why it creeped me out! That poor woman was tortured before she died, whereas Darwin killed the others quickly.

This scene creeped me out as well.

LivreAmour217 wrote:It wasn't too gruesome for me. I knew that the book involved a murderer when I began reading, so I expected a certain amount of gore. In fact, I was more disturbed by the treadmill murder than any of the ones involving a blade!

I completely agree. The treadmill murder was probably the worst one for me. However, as a whole, I think the book wasn't as gruesome as some of the others I have read. I actually had expected it to be a little worse, to be honest. It definitely could've been more gruesome, but I'm glad it wasn't more so.

I felt like the gruesome level was appropriate. We are talking about a murder here. It is supposed to be at least a little uncomfortable to read about. If it were any less, than I feel like it wouldn't have portrayed the killer's true feelings or motives. Although, the treadmill scene was a little creepy, I felt like that scene was also needed in the story. It showed that the killer didn't need to kill his victims with a knife, and he had control over his victims even until death occurred.

I have also read much worse. Reading gruesome stories doesn't seem to bother me. Watching the same thing on TV or a movie would probably leave me unable to sleep. Maybe with a book I am able to separate myself from the story more easily when necessary.

I hate to say it because I know I sound like a total creep but I enjoyed the gore throughout the novel. I routinely read much more gory and tortuous work (in fact I research torture on a daily basis, God knows why), so this was actually pretty tame for me. The deaths seemed to be pretty quick, though a bit graphic in nature. I must say the killings were actually relatively original, especially the treadmill murder. It seemed so innocent/original, yet was so gruesome due to the fact that MFB was actually somewhat tortured before her untimely demise. I actually wished it had been a bit more gruesome...but I like the fact that Rubin actually kept the gore levels realistic to Darwin's psychoses and nature. All in all, it really didn't bother me.

I am not a fan of gruesome things, and yet I have read--and probably will continue to read--books that have gruesome moments. If the author does a good job and only uses what must be used to make the story, then I won't complain. And I agree--Rubin did a good job.