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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
Please note my policy about rating YA books
It is an ambitious task to tackle the entirety of rape culture in a single, YA novel. As a result, parts of this felt inorganic (see - [b:A Little Life|22822858|A Little Life|Hanya Yanagihara|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1446469353s/22822858.jpg|42375710]). Could a small town have such high rape statistics? Possibly, sure, but there is something about that that feels inauthentic. However, unlike A Little Life I was more forgiving of it. To take on rape culture, there has to be a pervasive culture to criticize, and it's a culture McGinnis has to dramatize for it to be effective. I get that and appreciate it, but still note that it does make it difficult to fully enter the world she has created. When you pile on the general tone of YA novels, in which everything happens just so, it was almost impossible for me to gain any sort of footing into McGinnis' world; I was constantly reminded that I was reading something.
I would also be remiss if I didn't mention the perpetuation of the myth that females are the only victims of sexual crimes. Since my own instance four years ago in January, I've tried to be fair and gracious, but also consistent in demanding more from the narrative. That said, I will say McGinnis gets a little bit of a pass, as her goals seem to be surrounding the female narrative especially. But I needed to at least mention it.
Aside from these problems, The Female of the Species is a successful, interesting novel. While I would have wished to see more diversity in the characters' speech, I did appreciate the alternating points of view. It fleshed out McGinnis' stock characters more fully and made them seem more dynamic. I also found the premise of a female, teenage serial killer really interesting. Alex is a bit of a stock as well (which is interesting as she's one of the main characters), but her behavior is almost enough to make her interesting in and of herself... almost. But what I appreciated more than anything was the likening of murder to sexual assault. We easily condemn one, but cannot make the jump to the other without criticism and second guessing. McGinnis plays with morality in fresh ways and its her talent in explicitly talking about one thing, while skillfully redirecting the reader to her main point, solidifies McGinnis as a stronger writer than the rest of the novel's construction suggests of her.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed this novel in spite of myself. I'd highly recommend the book for teenagers and college students, as they sit in the thick of rape culture enculturation. They are the ones who can most effectively make change. I'd recommend this book to high school English teachers as well, those who are willing to skirt the line, as it could foster some necessary classroom conversation about real-world topics.
It is an ambitious task to tackle the entirety of rape culture in a single, YA novel. As a result, parts of this felt inorganic (see - [b:A Little Life|22822858|A Little Life|Hanya Yanagihara|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1446469353s/22822858.jpg|42375710]). Could a small town have such high rape statistics? Possibly, sure, but there is something about that that feels inauthentic. However, unlike A Little Life I was more forgiving of it. To take on rape culture, there has to be a pervasive culture to criticize, and it's a culture McGinnis has to dramatize for it to be effective. I get that and appreciate it, but still note that it does make it difficult to fully enter the world she has created. When you pile on the general tone of YA novels, in which everything happens just so, it was almost impossible for me to gain any sort of footing into McGinnis' world; I was constantly reminded that I was reading something.
I would also be remiss if I didn't mention the perpetuation of the myth that females are the only victims of sexual crimes. Since my own instance four years ago in January, I've tried to be fair and gracious, but also consistent in demanding more from the narrative. That said, I will say McGinnis gets a little bit of a pass, as her goals seem to be surrounding the female narrative especially. But I needed to at least mention it.
Aside from these problems, The Female of the Species is a successful, interesting novel. While I would have wished to see more diversity in the characters' speech, I did appreciate the alternating points of view. It fleshed out McGinnis' stock characters more fully and made them seem more dynamic. I also found the premise of a female, teenage serial killer really interesting. Alex is a bit of a stock as well (which is interesting as she's one of the main characters), but her behavior is almost enough to make her interesting in and of herself... almost. But what I appreciated more than anything was the likening of murder to sexual assault. We easily condemn one, but cannot make the jump to the other without criticism and second guessing. McGinnis plays with morality in fresh ways and its her talent in explicitly talking about one thing, while skillfully redirecting the reader to her main point, solidifies McGinnis as a stronger writer than the rest of the novel's construction suggests of her.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed this novel in spite of myself. I'd highly recommend the book for teenagers and college students, as they sit in the thick of rape culture enculturation. They are the ones who can most effectively make change. I'd recommend this book to high school English teachers as well, those who are willing to skirt the line, as it could foster some necessary classroom conversation about real-world topics.
That fourth star snuck up on me. The story wanders a bit, but I don't think I'll forget it soon.
Wow, that was incredibly disappointing.
The reviews for this book are glowing, the synopses intriguing, it felt like a no-brainer picking this up from the bookstore. But when I cracked it open, eager to devour a fresh, interesting, gripping story, I instead got yet another incredibly generic YA novel, just this one came wrapped in a sexual assault pamphlet, the type that hang off the rack on the back of the school guidance counselor's door. Literally there was several instances where the cast practically stopped what they were doing, turned to the reader and said; "Remember kids, if someone touches you inappropriately be sure to tell the police or a trusted adult!" I mean yes, this is a super important subject to discuss, but let's not bonk people over the head with the message mallet. Tell a story with a message, not a message with a story.
Heroine Alex Craft is too perfect. The book makes sure to remind us over and over that she's the most brilliant person in the school, drop dead gorgeous, (but people don't notice because she doesn't dress like a slut like "those other girls"), an avid reader of "the classics" (When Alex whipped out her Dostoyevsky I rolled my eyes. Can't ever have a teen heroine who reads Twilight and Harry Potter right? Too "normal") an animal whisperer who can calm the most wild of dogs, is super kind, and supremely physically fit to the point she can take on three grown-ass men and win without even a struggle. She also murders people, but it's okay! They were bad men, even though the men were never convicted of the crimes, enh, they probably did it. Maybe. Possibly.
Alex one day looks at love interest Jack with her perfect green eyes and he's instantly smitten, they exchange about five words and suddenly they're dating! And in love! And she's the best girl he's ever been with! Even though he constantly considers boning his f*ckbuddy and local school slut behind Alex's back! Because men, amiright? Yeah the romance was pretty awful. They're in love! Why? Who knows! They left that part out of the book.
And the rest of the book is just generic. The cast of kids party, gets drunk, have sex, talk about sex, murder, someone almost gets raped, and then condemns slut-shaming while portraying all boys as horny dogs who just can't keep it in their pants. Yerg.
A few other random things that bothered me, and it's the same with most YA novels because they're so homogeneous after awhile, why do teens in these kind of YA novels never have things like hobbies, dreams or goals? All they ever do is drink and f*ck. Jack constantly talks about "getting out of this shithole town" and going to uni, but he never mentions what he wants to be. Doctor? Engineer? Scientist? Bus driver? We never find out. And it's the same with every character save Alex, who again reads all the classy books. Do they like anime? Crochet? Do they want careers were they help people? Make lots of money? Who knows!
The parents were also either sinners or saints with very little personality or depth to them, but that's also par for the course for YA.
So yeah, Goodreads you dun disappointed me again.
The reviews for this book are glowing, the synopses intriguing, it felt like a no-brainer picking this up from the bookstore. But when I cracked it open, eager to devour a fresh, interesting, gripping story, I instead got yet another incredibly generic YA novel, just this one came wrapped in a sexual assault pamphlet, the type that hang off the rack on the back of the school guidance counselor's door. Literally there was several instances where the cast practically stopped what they were doing, turned to the reader and said; "Remember kids, if someone touches you inappropriately be sure to tell the police or a trusted adult!" I mean yes, this is a super important subject to discuss, but let's not bonk people over the head with the message mallet. Tell a story with a message, not a message with a story.
Heroine Alex Craft is too perfect. The book makes sure to remind us over and over that she's the most brilliant person in the school, drop dead gorgeous, (but people don't notice because she doesn't dress like a slut like "those other girls"), an avid reader of "the classics" (When Alex whipped out her Dostoyevsky I rolled my eyes. Can't ever have a teen heroine who reads Twilight and Harry Potter right? Too "normal") an animal whisperer who can calm the most wild of dogs, is super kind, and supremely physically fit to the point she can take on three grown-ass men and win without even a struggle. She also murders people, but it's okay! They were bad men, even though the men were never convicted of the crimes, enh, they probably did it. Maybe. Possibly.
Alex one day looks at love interest Jack with her perfect green eyes and he's instantly smitten, they exchange about five words and suddenly they're dating! And in love! And she's the best girl he's ever been with! Even though he constantly considers boning his f*ckbuddy and local school slut behind Alex's back! Because men, amiright? Yeah the romance was pretty awful. They're in love! Why? Who knows! They left that part out of the book.
And the rest of the book is just generic. The cast of kids party, gets drunk, have sex, talk about sex, murder, someone almost gets raped, and then condemns slut-shaming while portraying all boys as horny dogs who just can't keep it in their pants. Yerg.
A few other random things that bothered me, and it's the same with most YA novels because they're so homogeneous after awhile, why do teens in these kind of YA novels never have things like hobbies, dreams or goals? All they ever do is drink and f*ck. Jack constantly talks about "getting out of this shithole town" and going to uni, but he never mentions what he wants to be. Doctor? Engineer? Scientist? Bus driver? We never find out. And it's the same with every character save Alex, who again reads all the classy books. Do they like anime? Crochet? Do they want careers were they help people? Make lots of money? Who knows!
The parents were also either sinners or saints with very little personality or depth to them, but that's also par for the course for YA.
So yeah, Goodreads you dun disappointed me again.
I was feeling up for something different and saw this sitting on my TBR. It sure was different! I don't even really remember how this book wound up on my TBR. I think I reacted to people's reactions of the book. I love a book that makes people react so strongly.
I have no idea how to rate this book. I don't even know how to categorize it. I'll go with: YA, with dark themes and a bit of suspense.
First, this book should have some trigger warnings. Click for details.
Second, I'm not even sure what I just read. It held my interest and challenged my thoughts, which I liked. But the ending felt so unresolved for me. I think there were a lot of good things in this book and a lot of weird things in this book. Maybe I just didn't get it completely? Sometimes when I am left like this at the end of a book it makes me feel like a need a discussion to really help me get the full impact.
Anyway, there a TON of good reviews for this book that would help you decide to read it more than mine- please read them.
I have no idea how to rate this book. I don't even know how to categorize it. I'll go with: YA, with dark themes and a bit of suspense.
First, this book should have some trigger warnings. Click for details.
Spoiler
Rape, sexual assault, violence, animal cruelty.Second, I'm not even sure what I just read. It held my interest and challenged my thoughts, which I liked. But the ending felt so unresolved for me. I think there were a lot of good things in this book and a lot of weird things in this book. Maybe I just didn't get it completely? Sometimes when I am left like this at the end of a book it makes me feel like a need a discussion to really help me get the full impact.
Anyway, there a TON of good reviews for this book that would help you decide to read it more than mine- please read them.
Es ist eher so ein 3.5 Sterne Buch, aber eher 4 als 3.
Ich muss sagen, dass mir das Lesen dieses Buches sehr viel Spaß gemacht hat. Es war flüssig geschrieben, bot Spannung und Humor und hatte wirklich tolle Formulierungen.
Die drei Perspektiven haben mir wirklich sehr gut gefallen, ich fand alle Charaktere gut entwickelt und dargestellt - nichts von dem was thematisiert wurde war unrealistisch in meinen Augen. Es werden wichtige Themen angesprochen wie: Rape Culcture, Selbstjustiz, Tierquälerei etc.
Was dieses Buch zu keinem 4 oder 5 Sterne Buch für mich macht ist, die vorhersehbarkeit. Ab einem gewissen Punkt im Plot wusste ich in welche Richtung es sich entwickelt und wie es passieren würde. Die letzten 3 Kapitel waren definitiv wichtig, aber ich hätte mir irgendwie doch etwas mehr gewünscht. Irgendetwas hat einfach noch gefehlt. So die Kirsche auf der Sahne auf dem Eisbecher sozusagen.
Alles in allem aber empfehlenswert - vor allem sprachlich. Ein kleiner Hochgenuss.
Ich muss sagen, dass mir das Lesen dieses Buches sehr viel Spaß gemacht hat. Es war flüssig geschrieben, bot Spannung und Humor und hatte wirklich tolle Formulierungen.
Die drei Perspektiven haben mir wirklich sehr gut gefallen, ich fand alle Charaktere gut entwickelt und dargestellt - nichts von dem was thematisiert wurde war unrealistisch in meinen Augen. Es werden wichtige Themen angesprochen wie: Rape Culcture, Selbstjustiz, Tierquälerei etc.
Was dieses Buch zu keinem 4 oder 5 Sterne Buch für mich macht ist, die vorhersehbarkeit. Ab einem gewissen Punkt im Plot wusste ich in welche Richtung es sich entwickelt und wie es passieren würde. Die letzten 3 Kapitel waren definitiv wichtig, aber ich hätte mir irgendwie doch etwas mehr gewünscht. Irgendetwas hat einfach noch gefehlt. So die Kirsche auf der Sahne auf dem Eisbecher sozusagen.
Alles in allem aber empfehlenswert - vor allem sprachlich. Ein kleiner Hochgenuss.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this book for the Machalo Challenge – a book that is outside your comfort zone. And it is waayyyy out of my comfort zone. In fact, it shouldn't be in anyone's comfort zone. That would just be creepy.
The plot in a few words - We have three characters in a small town high school: Alex, Jack and Peekay. Alex's sister was murdered a few years prior to the story and Alex got the killer back the only way she could - brutally. Enter Jack and Peekay, who change Alex's solitary outlook on life and are in turn changed by her.
It's not the sheep that call to me, but the other wolves. I want to run with them, so that I may tear out their throats when they threaten my flock. But I can't return to the sheep with blood on my breath; they will shy away from me.
This book is dark, disturbing and sent prickles of unease down my skin, but not in the way mainstream thrillers like to pretend to do. Alex is an unapologetic murderer, yes, but the really disturbing bit is how casually women are constantly sexually attacked in Western (and any) culture. I deeply related to so many parts of this book, from the horrible feeling of wanting to be anywhere but in your own skin to the simmering rage that comes from being helpless against injustice.
Honestly, I sat there and pretty much applauded Alex every time she served back the violence she saw perpetrated, because why not? The people who commit sexual crimes never stop to think beyond themselves and the victims shouldn't have to either. The book is eminently quotable, but this one stuck with me the most, because it's so heart-breaking:
I live in a world where not being molested as a child is considered luck.
The characterization is really strong as well. Alex doesn't go Nazi feminist on anyone from her experiences; her rage is reserved specifically for the immediate criminal and the system that allows it, not the individuals she meets. She couldn't care less about Jack's past relationships and acknowledges that just because she doesn't have an interest in dressing like Branley, doesn't mean she can hate Branley for it. Peekay and Jack are distinct people as well, and I never got confused about who was who. As the quotes show, the writing has lovely, expressive style that manages to avoid being pretentiously avant-garde.
I had a couple of issues that kept me from giving this a full five stars. Some are issues of common sense: how does Alex become so proficient at taking down people from just watching internet videos? The ending of the book is also questionable, because it isn't clear from the events how Alex is so damaged from being tackled? I can accept it if she cracked her head against a pew and broke her skull, but she literally goes flying into a wall. What?
Equally, I don't understand how come forensics is such a failure in this town...surely they at least have fingerprint kits, right?
Plot-wise I have a couple of questions as well, since I never really understood what Alex saw in Jack - the flaws of a sudden romance. As for everything else, well, I do wish we had been told what happened to Alex's mother at the end, but most of it is so well written that there's nothing to nitpick.
In conclusion: This is one of those books that can't be encapsulated in words because it's about as corporeal as fire. And it burns as much. I don't usually bother reading YA contemporary, particularly emotional ones like this, so take it as a recommendation when I do like one. I do wish this was required reading in schools, because it is understanding without being forgiving, so boys and girls alike have something to learn from it. I know I did.
alex has done no wrong except for being written as a pick me girl. those men deserved what they got. branley didn’t deserve to be slut shamed. jack is an asshole. there’s nothing and no one to like.
There were many grammatical errors, there were parts that were cringy, and there were times I felt that the author tried too hard to come off as a teenager, but I still enjoyed it.