Reviews with content warning for Death - Boy Parts

Reviews tagging 'Death'

Boy Parts by Eliza Clark

190 reviews

emilyrowanstudio's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.75

Boy Parts was deliciously uncomfortable to read. Gruesome, hilarious, jaw-dropping, and did any of it really happen? Protagonist Irina is deeply unlikeable but equally addictive. The term 'unreliable narrator' could well have been made for her, and the extent of which you find this out as the novel goes on is truly chilling.

The social commentary here is fab, the one liners are laugh-out-loud funny, and the characters intentionally cringe. Scathing and brilliant British references are peppered throughout the book, from a friend's ex being described as "this NME-cut-out, landfill-indie looking c*nt with a porkpie hat and a huge fringe", to a character only ever referred to as "Eddie from Tesco".

The way in which the male gaze is flipped to that of a femme fatale in Boy Parts is so readable, Irina using her own fetishitic gaze to scrutizine in detail everyone she meets. Those interested in the arts and/or Photography (as I am) will surely enjoy the critique of the art world running through the book, from the North/South divide and privilege, to how Irina both plays and transgresses the system. She is one sly, shady lady.

I marked this down from 5 stars because of a 50 page drug bender towards the start of the book, the length of which didn't add much to the story. I much preferred the scouting for models, toxic dates, and exhibition prep which thankfully take up the majority of the book.

A dark, twisted, and violent book, one you'll simply click with or you won't. One Goodreads reviewer dubbed it "American Psycho for hot girls". Hard recommend if any of the above sounds up your street.

Content Warnings

chloseencounter's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

Boy Parts, in the most simply put way, is about an already unhinged woman taking a nosedive into actual insanity. Eileen is horrible but you also love to hate her. I really enjoyed the writing style of this book and the cheeky dialogue, some moments had me cringing in disgust but then I’d be giggling at some exchange on the next page.

Content Warnings

freya_06's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced

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

2.5

Content Warnings

erenreads's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

to the halfway point it was a 3 stars

around 75% it became a 4.

and at the end it’s such an easy 5 star book.

i don’t even want to comment on it, it’s disturbing and impactful.

holy fuck.

edit: back down to 4 stars sorry babes

Content Warnings

justmeliha's review against another edition

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dark funny mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

bps's review against another edition

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challenging dark medium-paced

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

1.5

Content Warnings

ashykneesreads's review against another edition

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dark fast-paced

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

3.5

I really liked reading this book. The way the narrative is fragmented between the current day and Irina’s past is well executed, I particularly appreciated the photos telling the stories of her past as she’s a photographer. The main body of this book is excellent, the main character of this book who’s perspective we get is pure evil. It’s so interesting to hear how she deals with her wrongdoings, whether she feels bad or simply admits that it doesn’t bother her in the slightest. My only issue that bought the rating of the book down a lot was the the ending. It really just stopped in the middle of nowhere. The whole book we lead up to this big gallery she’s in and that could’ve been a lovely natural stopping point. Instead there’s an extra man she goes on a date with and then it suddenly stops, leaving you with unanswered questions. I wouldn’t say the sudden ending is poetic and it’s not one of those intentional things to leave the reader guessing. It just feels wrong and very underwhelming. I would recommend this book in that the narrative voice is intoxicating and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Before reading please read the trigger warnings it was a lot to handle <3.

Content Warnings