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amber_bookworm's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
What a book to start the year with. Powerful, evocative, an excellent read. The only thing that stopped me from rating 5 stars was some of the linguistic choices at times by the author which felt a bit jarring. Would definitely recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Fatphobia, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Dysphoria, Medical trauma, Toxic friendship, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Sexism
megan_j's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Spoilers throughout
This was sub par. I can appreciate the message, but it’s very surface level. It does make you take a look at yourself though, and the content and media you consume, and the reality of that content. We can all look at the kardashians and think about how amazing they look but the reality is much different. I would definitely recommend it to younger girls but I feel like I need something a bit more in depth for my age atm. The characters were definitely well rounded and lovable though and I really found myself rooting for them throughout and was disappointed that they didn’t get what they were hoping for in the end. Didn’t do quite enough to push it to 4 for me.
This was sub par. I can appreciate the message, but it’s very surface level. It does make you take a look at yourself though, and the content and media you consume, and the reality of that content. We can all look at the kardashians and think about how amazing they look but the reality is much different. I would definitely recommend it to younger girls but I feel like I need something a bit more in depth for my age atm. The characters were definitely well rounded and lovable though and I really found myself rooting for them throughout and was disappointed that they didn’t get what they were hoping for in the end. Didn’t do quite enough to push it to 4 for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, Classism, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, and Eating disorder
rosiebethreads's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really think this book would have benefited from a glossary, I’m an adult reader and sometimes was a bit confused by the word swapping. If the aim here is to introduce teens to the patriarchal society we live in I do think we should use those words - empower through language!
I also found some of the swaps counterproductive - calling p*rn “smut” for example I feel moralises romance that includes sex on page often coequally known by romance readers as, smut. I also am not completely on bored with the cause-and-effect message created of porn = teenagers to abuse one another it’s a bit video games make people violent.
Moreover, I would have loved to have seen a girl who sat somewhere in between a pretty and an objectionable - what happens when only some things are negotiated?
However saying all that - you could be so pretty is a page turner, the characters are engaging and I loved the friendship between Joni and belle and the mother daughter relationships. I also really loved its focus on education and how it is not a safe space for all girls.
I also found some of the swaps counterproductive - calling p*rn “smut” for example I feel moralises romance that includes sex on page often coequally known by romance readers as, smut. I also am not completely on bored with the cause-and-effect message created of porn = teenagers to abuse one another it’s a bit video games make people violent.
Moreover, I would have loved to have seen a girl who sat somewhere in between a pretty and an objectionable - what happens when only some things are negotiated?
However saying all that - you could be so pretty is a page turner, the characters are engaging and I loved the friendship between Joni and belle and the mother daughter relationships. I also really loved its focus on education and how it is not a safe space for all girls.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, Medical content, Medical trauma, Rape, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Body shaming and Bullying
Minor: Domestic abuse
amyashcroft's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
You Could Be So Pretty is a dystopia written with feminism at its core, set in a world in which the majority of women “Mask” at the beginning of each day, and those who do not are seen as outcasts.
The novel is split between the perspectives of Joni and Belle, Joni rejects the rules of the Doctrine and doesn’t Mask, and Belle is striving to be a Pretty and is working hard to keep up appearances to win the Ceremony. Despite there differences, they’re both fighting for a scholarship for the Education and are forced to spend more and more time together in order to prepare.
This book is so head-on with the issues of the beauty industry and sexism in modern society. Bourne doesn’t shy away from the gritty details and of her own criticisms of normalised sexism that is experienced by teenage girls, highlighting modern issues from porn to eating disorders and the impact these have on beauty standards. I also thoroughly enjoyed the theme of ageism in society; how the main characters are teenage girls, but we also get to learn how society treats the women around them and how their mothers react to the effects of aging.
You Could Be So Pretty is often hard to read, but there are clear trigger warnings for the issues at the start of the book, which is greatly appreciated, as well as support information at the end. This is definitely an older YA novel, probably best for 16+, I’m 22 and struggled to read some of the content! Holly Bourne was able to critique so many different areas of society and by retitling many of the words used to similar ones, it allowed me to read these difficult topics and feel a separation, helping it feel less overwhelming but still have an impact.
I absolutely devoured this book and cannot wait to discuss it with others when it’s published!
The novel is split between the perspectives of Joni and Belle, Joni rejects the rules of the Doctrine and doesn’t Mask, and Belle is striving to be a Pretty and is working hard to keep up appearances to win the Ceremony. Despite there differences, they’re both fighting for a scholarship for the Education and are forced to spend more and more time together in order to prepare.
This book is so head-on with the issues of the beauty industry and sexism in modern society. Bourne doesn’t shy away from the gritty details and of her own criticisms of normalised sexism that is experienced by teenage girls, highlighting modern issues from porn to eating disorders and the impact these have on beauty standards. I also thoroughly enjoyed the theme of ageism in society; how the main characters are teenage girls, but we also get to learn how society treats the women around them and how their mothers react to the effects of aging.
You Could Be So Pretty is often hard to read, but there are clear trigger warnings for the issues at the start of the book, which is greatly appreciated, as well as support information at the end. This is definitely an older YA novel, probably best for 16+, I’m 22 and struggled to read some of the content! Holly Bourne was able to critique so many different areas of society and by retitling many of the words used to similar ones, it allowed me to read these difficult topics and feel a separation, helping it feel less overwhelming but still have an impact.
I absolutely devoured this book and cannot wait to discuss it with others when it’s published!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Mental illness, Sexism, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Violence, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Medical content, Toxic friendship, Domestic abuse, Medical trauma, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Abandonment and Alcohol
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