Reviews tagging 'Fatphobia'

Idol by Louise O'Neill

13 reviews

nineinchnails's review

Go to review page

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.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

pippahawkins's review

Go to review page

challenging dark tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

madelinedalton's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This book is about a person who manages to
alter their memories as a means of self-protection
and the consequences that follow. But it goes no deeper than that. I wanted to truly know why is the way she is and explore the topic with much more depth. Instead, we had an unreliable protagonist being a hot mess and ruining everyone else’s lives around her. 

This would have been a page-turner with better pacing. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

clairew97's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

charlottefannon's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

feebles640's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

0ldoini's review

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

sxftline's review

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

hippiequeen's review

Go to review page

dark reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Such a catchy and dark novel, it had me hooked and quite often twisted my guts. At first, I was rooting for Sam, but then oh god, it seemed like everyone was just soaking in darkness in this story. I guess it’s the beauty of Louise O’Neill’s writing; I have been reading her stories since I was 18 and they have helped immensely with dealing with my own traumas. This book is not for those who can be triggered by a number of things, so I would recommend being careful, but overall it’s such an amazingly written book. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

rosalind's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense 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

4.25


Expand filter menu Content Warnings