Reviews

Vacuum in the Dark by Jen Beagin

jwitth's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

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

3.5

lauraloudmouth's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad medium-paced

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

3.75

blyttgh's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

11/02/23 somehow more twisty and strangely relatable

annajoyreed93's review against another edition

emotional funny sad medium-paced

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

3.0

emmavonb's review against another edition

5.0

Mona is a twenty-six year old cleaning lady. A follow up to her novel "Pretend I'm Dead" , Jen Beagin presents us with the sequel "Vacuum in the Dark". In this sequel we pick up two years after we left off with Mona. She's still living in Taos, still cleaning houses, and still finding herself in very strange, surreal, sexually charged and triggering situations. When her mother calls her, however, and tells her she's getting married, Moan returns to her hometown where she must reckon with her past and face whatever it is that has made her.

emialexa's review against another edition

emotional funny sad fast-paced

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

4.0

greyreads's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective fast-paced

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

3.75

macrarie's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective 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

4.0

beanwa's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

3.0

I really enjoyed Pretend I'm Dead, but this one was a miss for me. The story felt disjointed and random, I was disappointed that Mona's story didn't pick up from where we left her. All the lessons she learned in the first book did not carry over to this one - I was disappointed that Jesus and her dog got written out in the first few pages. It was like Mona had regressed and reset, I found her really unlikeable (which hadn't been the case w Pretend I'm Dead)!

Also, I have to agree with other reviewers that the incessant tales of sexual trauma felt gratuitous. It's to the point where it became absurd and over the top, I really don't like it when authors use sexual trauma for shock value and that's what it felt like here.

I wouldn't recommend this one unfortunately, Pretend I'm Dead is much better and feels like a more purposeful and coherent story! 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Child abuse, and Pedophilia

ssem's review against another edition

dark funny fast-paced

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

4.0