Reviews with content warning for Sexual violence - I Have Some Questions For You

Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

I Have Some Questions For You by Rebecca Makkai

65 reviews

apiologee's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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ledichose's review against another edition

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dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The writing is among the best of recent books I’ve read. Makkai is talented. I do feel as if there are moments when I wasn’t sure what to think of

the examination of the #MeToo movement and the acknowledgement of widespread sexual harassment and assault perpetrated by men against cis women and the protagonist’s feelings about her ex Jerome’s cancelation. Perhaps the gray area is the point.

I was also disappointed about the way that

Brit and Alder disappeared from the final act and how Jeff sort of takes over the role of coconspirator. The “love story,” however brief, felt quite tidy.

Still, I felt sucked into this plot, alongside of Makkai’s writing.

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bookish_bell's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Incredibly atmospheric and engaging writing that drew me in and caused me to be caught off guard during some of the twists and turns of the mystery.

I loved going back and forth in time from boarding school in the 90s to present day. I appreciated the author keeping the story planted in the 'real world' and it read at times like true crime while also being explicitly (and cheekily) critical of the genre. However, true to life is what ended up being the biggest drawback for me because often it felt like real life bureaucracy got in the way of telling a compelling and satisfying story.

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courtiny's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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rachbake's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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notlikethebeer's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This book was phenomenal. Truly, a tour de force.

I've seen some reviews that imply that what this book does is very basic. I think that's part of where the charm lies. It's about thinking - truly believing - that you Know Stuff, that you're Woke and Aware. And yet that still not being enough. Still finding it easier - or even inevitable - to fall into the patterns you think you're resisting.

Anyway. What really stood out to me - what will live forever rent-free in my head - were the sections where Bodie reflected on what else was going on in the world - when she was overhearing conversations at a party, when she turned on the news. To begin with, those sections confused me a bit, they came across as her not caring. But then I realised that that wasn't it: it was the fatigue, of a world where such stories are endless and everywhere. The way that Rebecca Makkai drew on real-world examples, to really reinforce the sheer volume and scope of violence against women. The way that all of the details blend into one. I get shivers just thinking about how incredibly powerful that was, how simple a technique yet how effective.

I also liked that, in terms of the sub-plot (regarding Bodie's ex-partner), there was no easy resolution. She felt certain ways, and she made mistakes, and there were no answers. I definitely couldn't give you the answers. I'm glad Makkai didn't try to.

The ending was a sick realisation: I genuinely felt my stomach plummet when I finally accepted that yes, that was where we were headed. It was handled so perfectly, yet was so awful, all wrapped up in one.

Easily one of my top books of this year, probably my top books of all time.

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