Dungeon Crawler Carl is divisive for a reason. Is it a slobbering shit-heap of a book with no redeemable qualities? To some, yes! Is it a purely original masterpiece that’s both insightful commentary and laugh out loud funny? This is also a possibility for some. For me? It was sort of like hanging out with my brother and his friends in a sweaty basement eating Nacho cheese Doritos and playing DND with a DM that used to be a fedora-wearing nuisance to society that took a gender studies class and is doing his best to unlearn what he thought made him a card-carrying citizen of Special White Man land.

You may be confused how this description can coincide with a review over a 2. I was too. I debated myself on it. I talked it over with the friend I go to for all my best colorful ranting. Through talking it over with her, I came to the conclusion that I liked this book in the same way I enjoy the nostalgia of watching movies my dad really likes. They’re not perfect, they’re definitely made by men with more privilege in their pinky toe than I have in my whole body, but what they do well - they really excel at.

I wasn’t pitched this book as an absurdist horror. I think I should’ve been. Instead I was told it was funny. I don’t know if it was - at least not in the traditional sense. It was less funny-haha and more funny weird. I did laugh a few times, I’m not completely immune to a sassy talking cat who thinks humans are fucking stupid and enjoys a good girly-pop TV show. But the humor isn’t what ultimately sold me on this book.

It was the elements of horror - the hopeless situation our protagonists found themselves in, the body horror abominations created as Matt’s attempts at scathing critique. ( It didn’t always land as well as it could have. But I don’t think it was for lack of trying. ) It was the draw to find out how the fuck are they going to get out of this acid-trip nightmare maze of alien entertainment?

There were things I questioned the inclusion of. Some questionable millennialism’s, some odd commentary on women specifically Matt’s loathsome cheating ex who apparently sucked ALOT and the only one that knew is the cat ( evil women being evil trope ) and some ridiculously dudebro-oriented humor .. like what is with the obsession with feet??? Get those piggies out of my face, thank you very much.

But the things I liked, I liked enough to pick up the second book. I want to know what happens next, I want to see more of the sassy cat, and I want to see if Matt starts doing a better job balancing what really works and what really fails in this first one. And if he doesn’t? Then, I don’t have to keep reading this absolutely massive series and can move onto different things!

All of this to come to the final question: would I reccomend this? Tentatively yes, but with caveats. If this sounds at all enjoyable to you, give it a try. If it doesn’t? I wouldn’t bother. It’s hard enough to get as it is, and I wouldn’t want you to push through it just because it’s hyped.