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mattyvreads's review
challenging
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This book is not for me. I, unfortunately, did not really care for it. I found it to be for real very boring, actually.
I do think it is well-written, but it could have been an email.
It was like “POV toxic relationship”. Like a culmination of my least favorite parts of “A Very Nice Girl” and my least favorite stylistic elements of “Flights”. Just… not for me.
There were good parts! I find moments in this book absolutely and effortlessly hilarious. The author finds humor in the mundane and in the human condition.
Many parts of the book went over my head. I found it mostly pretentious and unapproachable. Also, the protagonist’s neuroses were in constant conflict with my own.
Some of the book was actually informative. I love the way that it discusses language and the evolution of language, and shit like that. Pretty cool.
I do think it is well-written, but it could have been an email.
It was like “POV toxic relationship”. Like a culmination of my least favorite parts of “A Very Nice Girl” and my least favorite stylistic elements of “Flights”. Just… not for me.
There were good parts! I find moments in this book absolutely and effortlessly hilarious. The author finds humor in the mundane and in the human condition.
Many parts of the book went over my head. I found it mostly pretentious and unapproachable. Also, the protagonist’s neuroses were in constant conflict with my own.
Some of the book was actually informative. I love the way that it discusses language and the evolution of language, and shit like that. Pretty cool.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Racism, War, Alcoholism, Homophobia, and Misogyny
wasabby's review
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The first half of the book is focused on Selin, a freshman at Harvard, going through the machinations of college life. If the whole book was set up like this, I think it'd be easier to like it. Unfortunately, at the halfway mark, the book devolves into a strange grooming scenario between Selin and a senior/grad student. When you combine that with the sheer amount of casual racism, literal slurs, *acknowledgement* of the slurs and yet the continued use of them, the constant antisemitism the book somehow always finds a way to come back to... it's not a good book. It glorifies a predatory dynamic between a young woman and a man too old to be dating an 18 year old. It doesn't criticize the lack of empathy Selin feels for those around her. Characters in the book are often devoid of any real personality beyond "the black roommate" and "the friend of a friend who has a girlfriend in a wheelchair." Also just a lot of strange sexual content. If any of that's not your cup of tea, I'd avoid reading this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Genocide, Grief, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Colonisation, Homophobia, Animal cruelty, Antisemitism, Excrement, Emotional abuse, War, Alcoholism, Classism, Eating disorder, Racial slurs, Racism, Addiction, Child death, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Ableism, Body shaming, Drug use, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Stalking, and Xenophobia
kshertz's review
informative
reflective
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? Yes
2.5
No clue what this is about. A person that doesn’t know what they’re doing and keeps purposefully messing up their life? I’m not sure what they were trying to accomplish here but I’m glad I did the audiobook. Even then, I almost DNFd it. Which never happens with me. Definitely can’t recommend unless you like a really slow pace existential books.
Content Warnings
Minor: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
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