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i usually prefer third-person pov, but this first person pov was so well written, i often even forgot about it. i loved richard as a narrator. it really felt like a friend telling you a long story - drifting off topic occasionally, going into detail for things that might not matter much to anybody but him. even though he is relatively detached as a narrator, it was very clear how he saw and felt about his friends, which made me love the other main characters - at least until it got complicated, by the ending i had mixed feelings, but i suppose that is exactly what it was supposed to be like. either way, all of them are really well fleshed-out unique characters, so even if you don't like them, you can be intrigued with them. who i liked best fluctuated throughout the story, but i think in the end it's richard and francis for me.
the story itself was very compelling. there were some things i figured out before they happened, but generally i was surprised by the major plot points (at least the ones that hadn't been purposely been given away in the beginning). it felt eerily realistic, exciting, fascinating, but at the same time really relatively mundane, bleak, "normal", like this could have happened to anybody.
i'm glad i didn't read the content warnings before reading the book because they definitely contain spoilers, at least in the sense that some things wouldn't be as surprising anymore. some scenes were disturbing, even relatively graphic, but i enjoyed being caught off-guard.
i'm very much looking forward to re-reading the story. i feel like it's one of those books that will be amazing on the second read when you can pick up on little details and foreshadowing that you missed on the first read.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Suicide, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Incest, Mental illness, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail
An exceptionally interesting book that is paced well up until the end. The third act is slow but ironically rushes in the end.
I did, however, spend the whole book trying to figure out what part of the character of Bunny or the story inspired Mona Awad to write her novel. So far I’ve still made no connection between the two Bunnys to make sense of it. Other than the fact that it’s about to poor kids getting caught up in the lives of their rich peers while at an exclusive university.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Incest, Blood, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicide, Medical content, Suicide attempt
The novel moves at a slow pace, spending considerable time on backstory and exposition. This can be frustrating, but it serves a purpose, subtly encouraging readers to question everything. Even small details—such as contradictions in the narrator’s past—hint at a larger theme of perception versus reality.
One of the most compelling aspects of the book is the enigmatic professor who carefully selects his students. His influence over them is subtle but powerful, using exclusivity and intellectual prestige to keep them loyal. His ability to manipulate perception ensures that, despite some faculty members seeing through him, he remains untouchable. The group of students is deeply affected by this world of elitism, where wealth and status are prioritized over morality.
Symbols and small details add depth to the story. A pen, for example, represents the allure of wealth and how even those who initially resist it can be drawn in. The novel also plays with the idea of belonging, making the reader feel as disoriented as the protagonist, especially when thrown into discussions they aren’t fully equipped to follow. This reinforces the book’s themes of isolation and the desire to fit in.
The characters are distinct and layered. One member of the group is particularly mysterious—physically imposing yet emotionally detached, admired yet unknowable. Another stands out as frustratingly immature, his outdated mannerisms and contradictions making him feel out of step with the rest. Meanwhile, the protagonist, though positioned as an outsider, engages in reckless behavior that suggests he’s being shaped by the group more than he realizes. His growing dependence on them becomes clear, especially when removed from their influence for a time.
While much of the novel is carefully constructed, the second half loses some of its impact. The pacing slows considerably, lingering on details that don’t always add to the narrative. What starts as an intriguing, tightly woven story eventually stretches too long, making some moments feel drawn out rather than suspenseful.
Additionally, the writing—while poetic—leans too much on certain stylistic choices, particularly in dialogue, where characters often repeat themselves unnecessarily. The book also explores darker themes in ways that occasionally feel excessive, relying on shock rather than subtlety.
The decision to DNF this book ultimately came down to the fact that the novel overstayed its welcome. Despite this, it remains an intriguing read, especially for those interested in complex characters and psychological depth.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Suicide
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Homophobia, Incest, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Suicide, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, Alcohol
Moderate: Animal death, Homophobia, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Rape
Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Murder, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Incest, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Incest, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Suicide, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Classism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Biphobia, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Deportation
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Cursing, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Homophobia, Incest, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Antisemitism, Suicide attempt, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol