Review of The Angel of Death Origins

[Jenny Kemp]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Angel of Death Origins" by Laurent Cousineau.]

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3 out of 5 stars

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The Angel of Death Origins: OCD, Bullying, and Questioning Reality by Laurent Cousineau is a gripping exploration of personal struggles and the long-term effects of bullying. Additional aspects about the author’s home life would have supported the narrative. A richer portrayal of the family subtleties could provide a better appreciation of how these associations influenced the author’s struggles with OCD. For example, when the author introduces their sister, her empathy and support were very evident. More information regarding these connections could deepen the reader’s understanding of how familial bonds shaped the author’s life.

Climate change appears regularly throughout the book, though largely in a high-level manner. While the author feels strongly about the issue, the references lack specificity that could deepen the discussion. The reference to The Sims adds an engaging dimension, reinforcing the book’s comprehensive account of reality and control. As a reader, the book provided me with the opportunity to see bullying behavior from a different vantage point. It made me wonder—how much energy does it take to be cruel 100% of the time? The amount of effort to engage in unrelenting harmful behavior is an interesting thought.

As an American reader, I was surprised to learn that there was so much aversion toward the author due to their French name. More context can help the reader to connect with the characters and understand the intimidation they faced. The book depicts statistics about how children experience similar trauma from bullying as they do from sexual abuse. As a reader, I would have appreciated supporting references.

In the end, I liked how the author ties the story back to the Truman Show—a warmhearted way to close the final chapter. Overall, I give the book 3 out of 5 stars. It is a challenging read due to the graphic accounts of abuse, but the level of detail is amazing. An expanded backstory could help the readers better understand the context behind the bullying behaviors described.

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The Angel of Death Origins
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