Reviews

Idol by Louise O'Neill

Only show reviews with written explanations

hblove03's review

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challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book was wild ride. Not sure what to think of Sam, the main character but it definitely kept me turning pages.

zinni05's review

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challenging dark tense fast-paced

4.0

larryleex's review

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challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Biting look at influencers, at self-perception, at our modern world.

Louise O'Neill is a name that when I see on a book, since her debut, I know I'm going to want to read. And yes, Idol lived up to my expectations.

I couldn't help but picture Reese Witherspoon as Sam throughout, her perky persona, stunning and petite frame, strength and ability to transform into a role. Which is Sam really.

Samantha is worshipped by thousands, probably millions of women. Self-empowerment is her message, she brings a Gwyneth Paltrow-like (Goop) mix of products and messages to her followers, her adorers, through every social media platform going. Books, paid-for Facebook groups, events. She's the rock star of the feminist self-help world. She'll spout such deep thoughts as, "I'm a human being having a human experience and I need to honour my truth. And my truth is that I fel triggered and upset."

You might feel the same as I do about the above.

Sam has made a fortune from telling her truth to women everywhere, opening up about sexual assaults, her drug use, eating disorders, how her family treated her through these tough times and how she clawed her way out of the spirals. It's inspired so many, and helped 'her girls'.

Yet her carefully-curated world is as vulnerable as anyone else's to accusations.

From her childhood best friend. Cue manager. Cue crisis management team. Cue a trip to a home town to try and cut off the problem at source, and try and talk sense into the best friend who clearly sees the past differently to Sam. But why?

Ohh this was so good. I love an unreliable narrator. Firstly Sam is (as the quote above shows) a character where you see past the pedestal. You know there are things she isn't telling you. And she is pretty complex, riveting and someone you want to understand. Everything is about her, both inside the story and what you as reader want to know.

You'll read through and draw your own conclusions about the past, about Sam's perceptions of others. And our view of a public figure being torn down, being examined, being tried on social media, is very relevant and something we should all be aware of. The public story is never all of the story.

Satisfying but still quite dark, I just loved the slow-reveal and excellent writing. Sam is a great character, ripe for a filmed version.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

oliviajames's review

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challenging dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Content Warnings

geenag90's review against another edition

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3.0

I don’t recall ever reading a book from the point of view of such a toxic character before. It certainly made for interesting reading. Sam must say ‘what about me’ more than any character ever. The level of narcissism is incredible, but I know they’re are people like this in real life, who believe they are worth more than anyone else. Scary.

howdoyouhannah's review

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.75

Louise is amazing at writing the complexities in life. She brilliantly articulates how things aren’t black and white and have nuance. In all of the books of her that I’ve read, I love how her main characters are not necessarily likeable and have flaws depicted through talented writing and not just listing their personality traits. She is a master at show not tell in literacy. ln this book the main character is very unlikeable, and she demonstrates this in the writing so well. Writing the actions of Sam ‘innocently’ as she would perceive it but showing the actual negative consequences of how it effects others.

nineinchnails's review

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense 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

4.0

this was so refreshing! i went into it knowing the general gist of the story (read the blurb so that’s on me) but it was still insane to watch unfold. the commentary on wellness culture and influencer cults was super interesting and combined with the unreliable narrator it was addictive to read.

i found myself

really rooting for the protagonist at one point - not because i supported her actions but because i wanted to believe she was innocent, or at least just flawed in the way all humans are flawed. she is undeniably a horrible person and that’s cemented by the end but there were moments in between where i was starting to genuinely believe her. for better or for worse

sam felt incredibly real and in parts gut wrenchingly relatable. i did find the ending a little unsatisfying because

i felt like the story had been gearing up to show us how evil (privileged) people usually do get away with being monsters and end up thriving in the spotlight,

however i can see how some would prefer the ending as it is.

Content Warnings