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Not recommended
Content we'd steer families away from.
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- Ages
- 18–18
AI summary
Set in a devout Reformed farming community in the Netherlands, a young girl named Jas experiences the death of her brother after making a 'deal' with God. The family descends into a spiral of neglect and dysfunction, leading Jas and her siblings into a dark world of disturbing sexual fantasies, animal cruelty, and self-inflicted pain.
Parent notes
This book contains extremely graphic and transgressive content, including child sexual experimentation and animal torture, that is antithetical to conservative family values. Parent concerns: Graphic descriptions of bodily functions and waste; Cruelty to animals; Incestuous themes and disturbing sexual experimentation among children; Graphic depictions of child abuse and neglect; Blasphemy and perverse religious imagery; Self-harm and extreme body horror Romance/sexual content: The book contains deeply disturbing, non-romantic sexual content involving minors, including sexual curiosity between siblings, masturbation with objects (thumbtacks), and voyeurism. Language: While the literary style is the focus, the book contains blunt and crude language regarding biology and anatomy. Violence: Includes graphic descriptions of animal slaughter, animal cruelty, and self-harm (e.g., sticking thumbtacks into skin). Substances: The focus is on psychological decay and physical discomfort rather than drug use. Worldview themes: Religious skepticism/crisis of faith, Nihilism, Gender dysphoria/identity confusion (the author and protagonist explore non-binary themes), Dysfunctional family dynamics
Why parents choose this book
What makes The Discomfort of Evening worth choosing
An honest, parent-first look at who this book suits, what it offers, and what to know before you buy.
Best for
- Age range: 18–18.
- Reading maturity: Young adult — teen protagonists and more nuanced themes.
- Kids who tend to love it: readers ages 18–18 looking for a solid story.
- Personality fit: kids ages 18–18 who enjoy a good story.
Parents love this book because
- Written by Lucas Rijneveld, whose books parents return to for consistently thoughtful storytelling.
Your child will probably enjoy The Discomfort of Evening if they…
- Enjoy stories written for kids around ages 18–18
This book helps develop
Vocabulary, sustained attention, and reading confidence for the 18–18 age band.
Things parents should know
- Romance: romantic subplot with kissing or teen dating.
- Violence: clear on-page conflict without lingering detail.
- Language: occasional mild words for the older end of the band.
- Sexual content: references or fade-to-black moments.
Reading commitment
Why we recommend it
We don't broadly recommend The Discomfort of Evening for the 18–18 age band; see the notes above before choosing. Lucas Rijneveld's voice is what makes it stick: readable, respectful of kids, and easy to hand to the next child in the family.
Content ratings
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