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hattie's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide and Self harm
lenlenlen's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
trin's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not sure I fully understood this book, but I really enjoyed reading it.
The main character in Laing's novel may or may not be the writer Kathy Acker. The book definitely takes place in the summer of 2017. Acker definitely died in 1997. I had definitely never heard of Acker before learning about this book, and my appreciation of Laing's novel may or may not have been diminished by this knowledge gap, but if so, I don't think by much. Kathy Acker the character is complicated and fascinating and messily real; the language is visceral and dreamlike and punchy and beautiful. The book has a timeless quality, while also being INTENSELY 2017. I'm not sure if it will age well or not. It's like a modern Speedboat, except I didn't like Speedboat, possibly because I didn't live through the early 1970s. Possibly in 50 years, anybody who didn't live through the Trump era won't like this. But for me, right now, it was pretty enthralling.
(Why is the main character maybe/maybe not Kathy Acker? I still don't know.)
The main character in Laing's novel may or may not be the writer Kathy Acker. The book definitely takes place in the summer of 2017. Acker definitely died in 1997. I had definitely never heard of Acker before learning about this book, and my appreciation of Laing's novel may or may not have been diminished by this knowledge gap, but if so, I don't think by much. Kathy Acker the character is complicated and fascinating and messily real; the language is visceral and dreamlike and punchy and beautiful. The book has a timeless quality, while also being INTENSELY 2017. I'm not sure if it will age well or not. It's like a modern Speedboat, except I didn't like Speedboat, possibly because I didn't live through the early 1970s. Possibly in 50 years, anybody who didn't live through the Trump era won't like this. But for me, right now, it was pretty enthralling.
(Why is the main character maybe/maybe not Kathy Acker? I still don't know.)
brisingr's review against another edition
3.0
The literal portrait of going insane over the internet and the state of the world and your place in all this mess, rather fixated in the 2016-2017 shitshow of a combo of years. Ft. Olivia Laing's wonderful and cutting writing style.
vlookup's review against another edition
2.0
Intelligent read. While I agree with the protagonist's sentiments, I'd prefer to discuss politics and society than to read about it.
eminadiscobra's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lucym80's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
tildahlia's review against another edition
3.0
This book is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. I enjoyed it for what it was - great writing, albeit in a very stream of consciousness modern style. (I must admit I probably would have struggled if it was longer.) The main character Kathy is richly crafted and intriguing, and the current affairs references (Trump, Brexit etc) tap into our collective existential dread. An interesting, short read.
gillesdelatoet's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75