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isabelgalupo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was very compelling at got me out of a significant reading slump, but also very challenging to get through the further I read. I liked the way Choi played with my expectations as a reader and the way in which things were revealed — slowly but also all at once. Definitely one that will stay with me for awhile not only because of the distressing subject matter but also the gorgeous and varied prose.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Gaslighting, Adult/minor relationship, and Pregnancy
sugarbowl's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i absolutely loved this book, and skimming through reviews, i’m genuinely surprised that i seem to be in the minority.
the writing is stunning, intricate, and plays it’s own role in each part of the story. it perfectly captures the anguish, resoluteness, and cautious hope through pacing and intensity and characterisation. the twists were chefs kiss phenomenal. it took me a moment each time to wrap my head around what changes in perception each twist demanded, but never enough to throw me off entirely. for most of the story i found it nearly impossible to predict how the story would continue, which could have been off-putting and stalled momentum, though it did nothing like that here for me. i loved it but it is incredibly hard to describe, categorise, or recommend. 5 star.
the writing is stunning, intricate, and plays it’s own role in each part of the story. it perfectly captures the anguish, resoluteness, and cautious hope through pacing and intensity and characterisation. the twists were chefs kiss phenomenal. it took me a moment each time to wrap my head around what changes in perception each twist demanded, but never enough to throw me off entirely. for most of the story i found it nearly impossible to predict how the story would continue, which could have been off-putting and stalled momentum, though it did nothing like that here for me. i loved it but it is incredibly hard to describe, categorise, or recommend. 5 star.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship
leah_alexandra's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was pretty rough. It's tough to talk about my reactions without spoilers, so most of my review is hidden.
I had been told there was a big "twist" in the book, but I was honestly pretty disappointed. The first part of the book actually being a fictionalized book a student wrote was not as dramatic a twist as I thought it would be. And I don't know if the author meant for the shooting at the end of "Karen's" part of the book to be a surprise, but it was apparent from miles away. The last, very small piece of the book was vague, and not in a way that made it more intriguing. Just added to some general frustrations with the book. Sarah's story was pretty exhausting--it really leaned into the trope of special teens being somehow more mature than their years. I was less frustrated by that piece once I knew what it was, but the second half of the book didn't do enough to make up for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, and Vomit
deusbexmachina's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow wow wow wow. I devoured this book and can't stop thinking about it. I won't spoil it (especially because doing so would require so much explanation and summary). But I do think the book is brilliantly constructed. The core themes are trust, believability, and accountability, particularly in regards to sexual assault. As a reader, you know that horrific things have happened to the main characters; they have been mistreated and taken advantage of. But the exact nature of what happened to them is up for debate, called into question again and again throughout the book, so you're forced to interrogate the survivors' accounts, rather than their abusers. It feels ugly, and I think that's Susan Choi's point. Okay, one spoiler: I would say that Martin most definitely does not get off the hook for his actions, even though retribution comes late. But Mr. Kingsley/Mr. Lord? He dies without repercussion. However, their actions deeply impact Karen (who carries so much anger), Claire (who will never know her parents), and Sarah (who needs to distance herself through fiction), and their suffering is largely invisible. I know why this book is polarizing, but I can't wait to talk about it with everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, and Misogyny
Minor: Drug use, Death, and Homophobia
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