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emilybeck_13's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Well-written and engaging book, a weird experience to read and question what was true crime and what was fiction as it’s so closely based on the real details, appreciate shifting the perspective of a famous serial killer to the important and bright women who were impacted by the crimes and not sensationalizing the killer
ashevchenko's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
3.5
amyriordan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
vickydowling's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Torture, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Rape, Murder, Misogyny, Death, Grief, and Sexual violence
tessasap's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
3.75
maddvillain's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
veepopp's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
alrightcalv's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I was enjoying this but was underwhelmed when I finished. At times I found the multiple timelines and voices confusing.
jaelyn7's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I mistakenly thought Bright Young Women was a novel that celebrated the overlooked contributions of ACTUAL women, with dialogue and characterization loosely fictionalized. But, with little to go off in the author's note, this book creates an entirely fictional world that draws even more attention to Ted Bundy, going against the point the characters make constantly throughout the book that Bundy is an unattractive, stupid loser, who does not deserve the credit the media gives him. The premise of how women are often portrayed as powerless in true-crime retellings was a good one, but I wish the story was entirely fictionalized or a mix of fiction and fact, informed by real bright, young women in a less notorious case. Overall, Bright Young Women was a slower read for me, as the story is told like a news article, rather than a novel. I enjoyed the Ruth and Tina storyline substantially more than Pamela's, because there was more depth to their characters.
andreaaj4's review against another edition
I'm diappointed because i was intrigued by the initial premise of the book (while also recognizing it's unlike any book I've ever read before and any book that i tend to gravitate towards). however, the driving events of the plot happen within the first 4 chapters and then i didn't really know where it was going from there. i don't like the main character (who is a sorority girl in the '70s), and that's not to say she's ditsy but i just found her annoying and lacking depth. 33% of the way into the book and i had no idea what to expect from the remainder. it was slow-paced, character-driven (with an unlikable main character), and not my cup of tea.