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scarlettreadsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
In 1962, Eileen is a young, twenty something girl, who cares for her unwell, abusive, alcoholic father and works as a secretary in a young boy’s prison. Her mundane life seems to change once she meets Rebecca. Told from Eileen’s perspective 50 years in the future, we find out the events leading up to her disappearance from the town where she grew up.
This is Ottessa’s debut novel and my first book of hers that I’ve read. I’ve got to say I was slightly disappointed with Eileen. I enjoyed the writing style, and the questionable morals of the characters. However, I felt it became rather repetitious, and for a book that is only 260 pages, it became a bit of a slog to finish.
Most of the action happens in the last 70 pages, which I flew through. If you’re a lover of a slow burn, this one’s for you.
I would also like to mention that you definitely need to check the trigger warnings on this, which range from alcoholism, death, incest, child abuse, and sexual assault.
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Car accident, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic friendship, and Violence
nialiversuch's review
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Deportation, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pedophilia, Vomit, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Cancer, Bullying, Car accident, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Self harm, Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Violence, Excrement, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Rape, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Dysphoria, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Stalking, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Antisemitism, and Xenophobia