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mhariii's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
mallory_minerva's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Well that was gross
I know this book is disliked, and I find the criticisms understandable. I do not dispute the realism issues; people don't really email like that. The texting to me seemed fine on the local level however. The progression of the relationship, as well as the relationship with the Tapeworm, seemed most unrealistic, but in some ways the psychological nuance of it was very interesting. I have mixed feelings on that front. I also am unsure about the claim of the author fetishizing lesbians. I didn't pick up on it much myself but I can see why others do.
I honestly found it mostly fun. I read it in one sitting which is rare for me. The characters are good and distinct, and the scenes conveyed through texts and emails are really vivid. I also liked Agnes's tendency to tell anecdotes; a lot of the literary merit is in those moments and I actually do buy that someone would just infodump anecdotes to make a point. I think the online take on an epistolary novel was well done all things considered; this is an epistolary novel and it will read like letters, not emails, and that's fine.
The horror is... The body horror is better than the psychological horror. I did not enjoy the BDSM aspects, and the animal cruelty really felt out of place for both characters and plot-necessitated. The Findom was underexplored but maybe that's a good thing. Zoe places enough emphasis on consent and caution that I didn't really perceive much manipulation. I didn't pick up on it until she self-discloses out of guilt and concern. There's moments where I feel things are getting worse and Agnes is blundering into a bad situation though, which is good psychological horror. The body horror is well-done.
I wanted to read trash after Foucault broke me, and I certainly got it. I get the low average but this book came to me at the right time I guess.
I know this book is disliked, and I find the criticisms understandable. I do not dispute the realism issues; people don't really email like that. The texting to me seemed fine on the local level however. The progression of the relationship, as well as the relationship with the Tapeworm, seemed most unrealistic, but in some ways the psychological nuance of it was very interesting. I have mixed feelings on that front. I also am unsure about the claim of the author fetishizing lesbians. I didn't pick up on it much myself but I can see why others do.
I honestly found it mostly fun. I read it in one sitting which is rare for me. The characters are good and distinct, and the scenes conveyed through texts and emails are really vivid. I also liked Agnes's tendency to tell anecdotes; a lot of the literary merit is in those moments and I actually do buy that someone would just infodump anecdotes to make a point. I think the online take on an epistolary novel was well done all things considered; this is an epistolary novel and it will read like letters, not emails, and that's fine.
The horror is... The body horror is better than the psychological horror. I did not enjoy the BDSM aspects, and the animal cruelty really felt out of place for both characters and plot-necessitated. The Findom was underexplored but maybe that's a good thing. Zoe places enough emphasis on consent and caution that I didn't really perceive much manipulation. I didn't pick up on it until she self-discloses out of guilt and concern. There's moments where I feel things are getting worse and Agnes is blundering into a bad situation though, which is good psychological horror. The body horror is well-done.
I wanted to read trash after Foucault broke me, and I certainly got it. I get the low average but this book came to me at the right time I guess.
PS: this is the most content warnings I've ever added for a review. I guess I don't do horror much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Miscarriage, Animal death, Toxic relationship, Child death, Animal cruelty, Self harm, Gore, Body horror, Sexual content, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Suicide
reading_and_wrighting's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
daniella84's review against another edition
dark
fast-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
3.0
I was expecting this to be a lot more ooky spooky but it leaned more into ideas of control and toxic relationships with some icky elements.
I think the major ick was someone using he/they pronouns writing about two women in this way - it kinda felt like one of the 'shock factors' was that it was too queer women doing this which doesn't really sit right. I also guess like Agnes didn't seem to have much of a support network or anything but we went from "hi im selling an apple peeler" to "i wanna have your tapeworm baby mummy" really quick over like one rent payment which I think if this had been drawn out a bit longer could have really gotten into exploring the elements of control and dependency more.
Seems people are pretty divided over this - for me it was a quick kinda gross read but had the potential to be great.
I think the major ick was someone using he/they pronouns writing about two women in this way - it kinda felt like one of the 'shock factors' was that it was too queer women doing this which doesn't really sit right. I also guess like Agnes didn't seem to have much of a support network or anything but we went from "hi im selling an apple peeler" to "i wanna have your tapeworm baby mummy" really quick over like one rent payment which I think if this had been drawn out a bit longer could have really gotten into exploring the elements of control and dependency more.
Seems people are pretty divided over this - for me it was a quick kinda gross read but had the potential to be great.
yveningstar's review against another edition
3.0
idk if im a monster but i didnt find this and horrifying & disgusting as how people make it out to be. i totally thought this was gonna be worse than Woom, but nothing's topping that sickening book yet 4 me.
i was flipping through the pages in the speed of light & then i was so shocked the next page was already Acknowledgments like ......
nice & short paced. i hate zoe tbh. she was shocked 2 see someone w a mind sicker than hers lmao
i was flipping through the pages in the speed of light & then i was so shocked the next page was already Acknowledgments like ......
nice & short paced. i hate zoe tbh. she was shocked 2 see someone w a mind sicker than hers lmao
nnxon's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75
A very interesting concept but something about the writing feels off, I would like to know what it would be like with a more polished draft.
narzack's review against another edition
1.75
This motherfucker loves dashes. And also their own writing, which is pretty shit. Plus, the Melville reference is completely off, has LaRocca even read Moby Dick? Very much needs a few more rewrites or an editor.
vrunda's review against another edition
4.0
I truly don't know what to say. The rating is definitely for the unique plot and premise .