Scan barcode
lexa's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Drug abuse, Addiction, Death, and Drug use
Moderate: Abortion, Grief, Infidelity, Blood, Alcohol, Cancer, and Stalking
Minor: Sexual content, Cannibalism, and Vomit
panthalassa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Drug abuse, Addiction, Blood, Death of parent, Drug use, Death, Grief, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Medical content, Cannibalism, Murder, Abortion, Forced institutionalization, Self harm, Terminal illness, and Violence
lingoreads's review against another edition
- 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
2.5
Graphic: Drug use, Addiction, and Drug abuse
jaynovara's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Death
Moderate: Abortion, Alcohol, Cannibalism, Gore, Mental illness, and Stalking
mghnhill's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Drug abuse and Murder
abookwanderer's review
- 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
3.25
Astrid Sees All has been compared to Fleabag, but Astrid lacks the humor and strong characters of Fleabag. I felt detached from the main character, Phoebe/Astrid. Especially for a novel written in first-person. And maybe that’s what the author intended, but I was always left wanting more of her internal thoughts and less of the play-by-play events of her life.
It was a quick read, but not necessarily an easy one. And I kept reading wanting to know if Phoebe’s life ever turned around. There were some unexpected aspects toward the end that helped to wrap the novel up satisfactorily, but when I finished, I still didn’t feel like I knew Phoebe much better than when I’d started. I could respect what the author was doing—keeping the reader at arms length, much like Phoebe did with everyone—but I wanted a bit more.
What I did enjoy was the 1980s setting. Standiford does a good job of placing the reader in the dangerous but glittering downtown New York club scene. I found myself googling names and places, wondering if the stories were true. And some of them were—with the names changed. Although, many celebrities who were famously a part of the club scene made appearances, as well, including John Kennedy Jr., Andy Warhol, and Tatum O’Neal. The novel also mentioned the films and music that made the decade so memorable.
And I will say Astrid’s method of telling fortunes was one of the most interesting ways I’ve ever heard of!
If you like to immerse yourself in a place and time, placing more importance on the atmosphere than the plot—and you don’t mind a darker piece of literature—you’ll probably find plenty to unravel in Astrid Sees All.
Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy.
Graphic: Abortion
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, and Grief
bookmaddie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Drug use and Drug abuse
Moderate: Violence and Kidnapping
kendallreadsbooks's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Death
Moderate: Terminal illness, Cannibalism, and Murder
Minor: Abortion