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polyphonicprairies's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It has been a long long time since I've been so compelled to immediately re-read the last few pages of a book. A devastating denouement and exposé of a key character which immediately cohered the entire novel. God, it was SO GOOD.
Having a highly intelligent and wily character like Lakey re-emerge in the final act to absolutely annihilate the reader's view of Harald feels like McCarthy's late-stage intervention to protect Kay. The irony comes in waves - this unravelling comes far too late; it should have been Kay's view of Harald being annihilated; Kay and Lakey could have circumvented the whole sorry mess and gone off together in the first place. Truly incomparable writing that simultaneously breaks your heart, makes you gasp and fills you with righteous anger.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Sexual content, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Medical trauma, Lesbophobia, and Misogyny
ieemee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
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
3.0
I full understand why this book was revolutionary when it was written but it could do with some Trigger Warnings - it has some toxic notions around womenhood, motherhood, mental health , and about Sexual assault& is homophobic - I read it since it was pivotal and is on the Rory Gilmore book list & went in blind - I won’t be recommending it to friends. The book shatters that notion of step-ford house wife & speaks to the true Zeitgeist of historical womanhood and for that reason I decided to rate a 3. It’s good to know what people are talking about when referring to this book. It definitely was a predecessor to a sex & city type novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Classism, Medical trauma, Homophobia, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism and Torture
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