Reviews

Promising Young Women by Caroline O'Donoghue

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vickyfarbs's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

amberindia's review against another edition

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5.0

This book (and I can't tell if this is a healthy thing or not) reignited so much feminine rage that was sitting inside me.

A deeply compelling and grripping read that had me turning page after page wanting not only to get to know the character of Jane more, but to see how the author wrote about so many common yet undiscussed (at least in my social circle) ways in which society is working against practically everyone that isn't the obvious.

This is not an easy book to write, the building of small red flags left me scowling to point where I nearly stopped reading. It definitely resonates in me and there are elements that would resonate with a lot of women, it obviously touches on abuse but I think the way it is done is, albeit a cliche at times, very raw without being 'trauma porn'.

I think it's so important to keep having conversations on control and abuse because it helps us spot the different ways in which in can happen, this book starts subtly to begin with, as the reader you can see what's happening but the way the author has you empathising with the main character, Jane, as well as the other women in this book, allows you to get inside their mind and understand why they are ignoring the red flags and ignoring some of them altogether.

A challenging read for sure, but one that leaves a lasting impression.