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jacinderr's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
slow-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
3.75
I had high hopes for this book and a quarter of the way through I was convinced I hated it and it wasn’t for me. Then all of the sudden something just clicked and I found it hilarious and entertaining.
There’s almost horror genre elements to depict mental illness and I loved how that was Integrated
The ending wasn’t satisfying but I kinda like how this book makes you think about it I really was in the drug trip with her.
(I did feel like there was some kinda racist remarks that did bother me even though I’m pretty sure it was to show how how privileged the narrator is but it felt a bit unnecessary at times)
There’s almost horror genre elements to depict mental illness and I loved how that was Integrated
The ending wasn’t satisfying but I kinda like how this book makes you think about it I really was in the drug trip with her.
(I did feel like there was some kinda racist remarks that did bother me even though I’m pretty sure it was to show how how privileged the narrator is but it felt a bit unnecessary at times)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Drug abuse
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Sexual assault
cko's review against another edition
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
This is probably a good book, but it was too triggering for me. I did not enjoy reading it and I did not like any of the characters. I could relate to the main character, but Reva was the more sympathetic character. The psychiatrist was funny in an absurd & pitying way-- felt very Log Lady. Everything about this book felt cold and hard.
It's fucked up that the first time she admires Reva is when she's literally jumping to her death - I hate how she treats her "friend" throughout the book-- that is NOT a friendship
- I did think it was cool how Moshfegh wrote her descent into her most unhinged states
- I do enjoy novels that center art history and art criticism, and those sections were cool to read
- I don't think it's okay to talk about a living famous Black person's genitals, especially while also kind of saying she is not a good actor
- Reva's internalized fatphobia & disordered behaviors/eating was really hard to read
- Reminded me of Animal: A Novel by Lisa Taddeo; the drugged section of True Story: A Novel, by Kate Reed Petty; the show The Assassination of Gianni Versace; and Catherine House, by Elisabeth Thomas
- Overall: would not re-read, would not recommend, but would discuss more!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Racism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Vomit
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