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caffeinatedbookdragon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
The characters are morally bankrupt (mostly) rich kids, so it was hard to really care about them. I genuinely don’t understand why Richard in particular went along with some ~particular~ actions of the others.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, Murder, and Classism
jsabhi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Incest, Rape, and Gaslighting
kooday's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
There are good books and there are good books that are fun to read. It's been a while since I've been so enraptured by a book. I loved and mourned the characters like they were my own friends.
It's definitely not a perfect book, it can drag at times but for the duration of reading it I felt like I was really present and transported to Vermont and Hampden College. I also loved the philosophical and spiritual commentary interspersed throughout and appreciated the classical references (that I understood).
I was satisfied with the ending, I found it touching.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Incest, Suicide, and Murder
kjm19's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Incest, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
mishasmum's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Homophobia, Incest, Suicide, and Murder
justreads93's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Incest, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Homophobia and Antisemitism
jcinf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
First, it was so long. I would check to see how many pages I read, realize I had only read about 10 pages, and then just feel annoyed at the author for writing so much. (Though it is almost fitting that a pretentious book with pretentious characters be as long and self-absorbed as it was). I could have enjoyed this so much more if it has like 150 less pages.
Then, I didn’t like the characters. I either disliked them or felt neutral about them. So, I couldn’t empathize with any of them, which made it hard for me to enjoy the story.
And (not a spoiler, I promise) why did Richard keep saying he loved these people? I didn’t feel love between anyone. I just felt like they all used each other. Maybe that was the point, I suppose. To illuminate how selfish people can be and to demonstrate how they think they love someone when really their idea of the person is self-serving because it feeds their ego or identity in some way. Maybe I’m not allowing the characters to have depth with that interpretation, but with the nihilistic perspective used throughout the book, I feel like my take is pretty accurate. So it just annoyed me because it didn’t feel self aware.
What I did enjoy was the portrayal of specific people spiraling because of a set of circumstances that just wrecked their mental state. I thought that was psychologically interesting, sort of lol. But that too started to wear on me and I was getting tired of watching these people fall into
I also enjoyed the style of writing. Even though it dragged, the author’s writing was fantastic and engaging.
I noticed myself picking this book up to “get through it” rather than to actually enjoy reading it. I kept pushing because this book was so beloved, but in the end I don’t really think I was converted into loving it.
I think I like the idea of dark academia more than I actually like dark academia. Something about reading about academic snobs drives me crazy, no matter how cool the ‘vibes’ are.
List of spoilers with questions I had and/or general commentary:
2. Incest?! wtf. So strange that came up and then was like never mentioned again. I wondered if I actually read that right, bc it was mentioned so flippantly.
3. Was Henry really wanting to kill Charles, or was that just meant to demonstrate Charles’ unraveling?
4. Henry was a psychopath and we’re just gonna not acknowledge that any further than the one conversation? And then make Charles feel crazy for thinking Henry wanted to kill him? Okay then lol.
5. At least one review said “they all deserved what they got” and now I’m wondering what that reviewer meant. Only one of them actually died as a consequence of his actions. And that was by choice. AND romanticized as well. Not this sad death they made it out to be. I would’ve loved if this book punished the characters more, actually.
6. Oh, and that brief mention of wanting to r*pe Camilla. wtf was that? I know it was meant to illustrate how far gone Richard was to this weird power high. But I really wish the author didn’t include that part. To me, even though it was mentioned briefly, it was disturbing.
7. Did Henry really manipulate Richard into getting involved? Or was that another example of unreliable narration?
I guess I’m still glad I read it? Idk man.
Oh, and I’m not sure why all these reviews mention being deceived at the end. Either I missed something or I had something clocked the whole time. I’m just not sure what that is. Lol
Another thought: was “Bunny” by Mona Awad inspired by this? Brb gonna Google it.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Incest, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Stalking, and Suicide attempt
sunlitridges's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Death, Self harm, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Incest, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, and Stalking
moony_277's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
In general its a really good book and i would recommend it to people who like darker themes and vibes.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia, Incest, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Vomit, and Religious bigotry
abigailhaagen's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Homophobia, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Outing, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, and Vomit
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Antisemitism