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curlyb's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-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
3.0
aliena_jackson's review against another edition
1.0
This book was pretentious in a way where I hated it, but couldn’t bring myself to care. I also don’t give a shit about the rapist narrator, whose obsession with Phoebe is unhealthy. Fuck this book.
Update: a few hours later and I can’t even summon up the will to be mad at this book, with it’s positive portrayal of sexual assault. Kwon definitely does NOT believe victims, and the evidence is more than abundant in her writing. She writes a rapist as a narrator. The worst part is that he feels no remorse for what he’s done. And he continues to harass and stalk his victim. Jesus Christ, no wonder she committed suicide. Even with all of the shitty things about this book, I can’t be mad. I just don’t give enough of a shit about this to care.
Update: a few hours later and I can’t even summon up the will to be mad at this book, with it’s positive portrayal of sexual assault. Kwon definitely does NOT believe victims, and the evidence is more than abundant in her writing. She writes a rapist as a narrator. The worst part is that he feels no remorse for what he’s done. And he continues to harass and stalk his victim. Jesus Christ, no wonder she committed suicide. Even with all of the shitty things about this book, I can’t be mad. I just don’t give enough of a shit about this to care.
goyavdberg's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
netflix_and_lil's review against another edition
dnf at pg 97.
I can see the poetry of the language evoking the reactions it got from critics, but not my personal cup of tea. The plot failed to capture me and the purple prose made it difficult to follow at times. John Leal’s sections were intriguing, but far too sparsely scattered through the dragging lovers plot line.
I can see the poetry of the language evoking the reactions it got from critics, but not my personal cup of tea. The plot failed to capture me and the purple prose made it difficult to follow at times. John Leal’s sections were intriguing, but far too sparsely scattered through the dragging lovers plot line.
spradhan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mad_magzz's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly it was just fine. Most of the novel was about the main character's obsession with his girlfriend, who frankly is just kind of an asshole who's been through a bad experience. The most he seems to know about her is that she's hot. The main character himself is a Holden Caulfield type. Tbh I wouldn't really recommend it, most of the novel was spent obsessing over the girlfriend, barely any of it was about the actual cult itself besides vagueries about the leader, who wasn't all that interesting. The writing was pretty good overall though, despite being a little over descriptive at times.
There are better cult books out there.
There are better cult books out there.
ashleyjoheerema's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
3.25