Reviews

Very deserving of the National Book Award! I don’t think the blurb did this story any justice, I also hate this cover, but the way this book made me feel! All of the characters were so well developed and explored. Each one connects to the other in such a profound way that I honestly could reread tomorrow to try and figure out their completed intersections. I loved the writing style, particularly the first and last chapters were simply a delight to engage the reader for what’s to come and how we got there. There is one chapter in which I am convinced it was the reason it won the award as it was the most authentic portrayal of

consent and abusive power dynamics

I have ever read. Check trigger warnings. It can be a bit pretentious at times but its lit fic and the way it's addressed in the book was a great nod from the author in my opinion. Cannot recommend enough if you want to explore some darker themes in such a beautifully crafted, tension packed narrative.

C 10 A 7 W 10 P 9 I 9 L 9 E 8 8.8

pageka14's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative mysterious reflective sad 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

naisdayz's review against another edition

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Initially really enjoyed this, but seemed to drag on eternally. Just felt like a chore to pick up after a while, the only thing that kept me going was that I really wanted to know how it ended, but not even that could drown out the boredom I felt.

starborns's review against another edition

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2.0

the prose ran away from plot, characterization, intimacy, and emotional arcs faster than usain bolt. the first and very last few chapters of this experimental novel were borderline fantastic, but sadly, not enough to rescue the massive collision of bored incongruency that was the whole middle. i have yet to read the other finalists, but i'm in disbelief how this novel beat out its contenders for national award in fiction. maybe the others were written by longhand in the dark?

leiakaye's review against another edition

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challenging dark slow-paced

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

4.5

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