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lovelymisanthrope's review
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I have had this book on my shelves for years, and finally picked it up on a whim.
"Love & Other Carnivorous Plants" follows Harvard freshman, Danny. Danny has always aspired to be a doctor and has always pushed herself to be her best in everything, so she thought she would be the best at Harvard too. But, after a grueling first year and a series of events that have left Danny and her longtime best friend, Sara, at odds with one another, Danny finds herself in rehab for her eating disorder. When she returns home, she does not know what to do with herself, but her new friend, Bugg, a fellow patient in rehab, may help her find her way.
This book was heavy, and difficult to read at times because of the conversations around mental health and eating disorders. However, I found this book overall to be highly relatable. Danny was the top of her class and centered her entire identity around being "the best". She has done this so much, that it is unclear whether she really wants to pursue a degree in medicine, or if she just wants to be "the best". This all comes to a head when she starts her freshman year at one of the world's most notorious universities, and she finds herself struggling. Entering college is difficult for a lot of people, but it can be especially eye opening for all of those students who are coming in as top of their class. Suddenly, especially at such a prestigious school, everyone is the best, and that can be difficult for people to come to terms with. Danny did not know what to do with herself because suddenly she was surrounded by excellence, so was she really the best?
I loved Danny as a character. She was deeply flawed and so resistant to getting help. She completely lost her identity, and the eating disorder helped give her the control she needed in her life. She is rough around the edges and kind of awkward, which I thought made her all the more relatable.
Danny's and Sara's friendship was such a refreshing representation. They have been best friends for most of their lives, but presently they are both keeping each other at arm's length. They seem to want to be friends because they have been friends forever as opposed to being friends because they love who they are now. It is difficult to have a friendship breakup, especially when your entire world is falling down, and my heart just went out to Danny.
As far as eating disorder representation, I do not think this book did anything super special. The story felt bigger than Danny's eating disorder, and it felt like a subplot for most of the story.
Bugg was an interesting character. I really wanted to like her and how she helped Danny to evolve into a better version of herself, but I really did not. Bugg was a horrible influence who used Danny to fuel her own problems, and vice versa. I think they could be really great together, and I think it was important for Danny's character growth that she met Bugg, but I do not think they should be together until they both do more work on themselves.
Overall, this book was a pretty good time, and I would recommend it to those in a good headspace.
"Love & Other Carnivorous Plants" follows Harvard freshman, Danny. Danny has always aspired to be a doctor and has always pushed herself to be her best in everything, so she thought she would be the best at Harvard too. But, after a grueling first year and a series of events that have left Danny and her longtime best friend, Sara, at odds with one another, Danny finds herself in rehab for her eating disorder. When she returns home, she does not know what to do with herself, but her new friend, Bugg, a fellow patient in rehab, may help her find her way.
This book was heavy, and difficult to read at times because of the conversations around mental health and eating disorders. However, I found this book overall to be highly relatable. Danny was the top of her class and centered her entire identity around being "the best". She has done this so much, that it is unclear whether she really wants to pursue a degree in medicine, or if she just wants to be "the best". This all comes to a head when she starts her freshman year at one of the world's most notorious universities, and she finds herself struggling. Entering college is difficult for a lot of people, but it can be especially eye opening for all of those students who are coming in as top of their class. Suddenly, especially at such a prestigious school, everyone is the best, and that can be difficult for people to come to terms with. Danny did not know what to do with herself because suddenly she was surrounded by excellence, so was she really the best?
I loved Danny as a character. She was deeply flawed and so resistant to getting help. She completely lost her identity, and the eating disorder helped give her the control she needed in her life. She is rough around the edges and kind of awkward, which I thought made her all the more relatable.
Danny's and Sara's friendship was such a refreshing representation. They have been best friends for most of their lives, but presently they are both keeping each other at arm's length. They seem to want to be friends because they have been friends forever as opposed to being friends because they love who they are now. It is difficult to have a friendship breakup, especially when your entire world is falling down, and my heart just went out to Danny.
As far as eating disorder representation, I do not think this book did anything super special. The story felt bigger than Danny's eating disorder, and it felt like a subplot for most of the story.
Bugg was an interesting character. I really wanted to like her and how she helped Danny to evolve into a better version of herself, but I really did not. Bugg was a horrible influence who used Danny to fuel her own problems, and vice versa. I think they could be really great together, and I think it was important for Danny's character growth that she met Bugg, but I do not think they should be together until they both do more work on themselves.
Overall, this book was a pretty good time, and I would recommend it to those in a good headspace.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Alcohol, Eating disorder, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, and Fatphobia
nonidude's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, Body shaming, Animal death, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug use, and Vomit
Minor: Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
nofy's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
whoa.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Vomit, and Death
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Drug use
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