Reviews with content warning for Eating disorder - L'idiota

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Reviews tagging 'Eating disorder'

L'idiota by Elif Batuman

12 reviews

mchard's review against another edition

4.0

challenging funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

sestout's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous funny reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

kiakrat's review against another edition

5.0

reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

One of the best descriptions I’ve read of the melodramatic inner dialogue of a college student. Even though I didn’t relate to the narrator’s experiences, she was somehow one of the most relatable narrators I’ve read. I think listening to the audiobook (read by the author) helped with this - listening to her narration felt like she was my own thoughts.

Content Warnings

abernathy_33's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

nataliegray's review against another edition

3.75

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

nica_chan's review against another edition

4.25

funny reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

risemini's review against another edition

4.0

funny reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Content Warnings

wasabby's review against another edition

2.0

sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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

sydneybedell's review against another edition

3.0

emotional funny reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

libbyhb's review against another edition

4.5

funny reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

What a strange book! I enjoyed reading this. The writing style/format was really suited to my tastes - I loved that it was kind of meandering and introspective and that the plot still progressed but in a more detached way. I liked all of Selin's thoughts and observations, even when her actions were sooo frustrating. I also liked how the book was so clearly inspired by real life events, it felt so authentic and grounded. Can't wait to read the next book!

Content Warnings

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