Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Either/Or by Elif Batuman

6 reviews

theabee's review

challenging dark reflective sad medium-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? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship and Sexual assault

Moderate: Blood, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Emotional abuse, and Xenophobia

anagramatica's review

dark funny reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.0

I found the college setting and philosophical dialog a little irritating at first. I was listening to the audiobook and the author was reading. I wasn’t sure if I was going to continue listening, but I stuck with it. There were some pure funny moments, some cringe funny moments, and a lot of existential young-person-seeking moments. The later part of the story was easier for me to warm up to.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Body shaming, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Emotional abuse

Minor: Cancer

waybeyondblue's review

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted reflective slow-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Sexual harassment and Toxic relationship

tatjanasbooks's review

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship

lybe's review against another edition

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

I enjoyed The Idiot but this just fell flat. Batuman's extraordinary humour that was such a big contribution to why its predecessor was and is so popular is still there (and I did laugh out loud several times, thank you very much) but the novel as a whole feels tedious and lacklustre. Batuman's interviews surrounding its publication were truly interesting but those ideas and concepts are just murmuring around in the background and rarely ever transpire superficially in a naïve (American?) way.
I would have most likely DNF'd this if I hadn't been listening to the audiobook.

The amount of mostly unreflected r*p* scenes in this? What's with that?

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Vomit, Alcoholism, Transphobia, Toxic relationship, and Suicidal thoughts

savvylit's review

emotional 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

4.0

Two aspects of this novel that I really enjoyed were the same things that I loved about The Idiot: Selin's dry humor & her genuine confusion regarding societal norms. As I read, I found myself thinking that I'd missed Selin and her perspectives on the world. That's how effectively her character is written. Batuman makes Selin feel as authentic and accessible as someone you could know in real life.

**Slight spoilers ahead**

Either/Or was ultimately quite different from The Idiot in one primary way: Selin begins to have physical encounters with men for the first time. Throughout Either/Or, Selin mentions her desire to feel like she's living a full life - like she were a character in a novel. Thus, rather heartbreakingly, her desire to have sex is mor abstract and solely motivated by a heteronormative sense of obligation. As the book progresses, Selin is often sexually harassed and coerced into sex. The accuracy and realism of these passages is devastating and demonstrative of the need for all people to continue to demand enthusiastic consent. It's the only acceptable response for any question of physical intimacy.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Alcohol

Minor: Body shaming