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phantomgecko's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Think of the whiniest, most foul-mouthed little incel you can, and that's this dude. Note how many times he refers to women as objects. How many times he reduces Beck to her sexual availability or genitals. How many times he misinterprets media to justify his actions. Also, lol at how judgmental he is about books. I think this is a more fun variation than being super judgmental about music or comics or video games.
Joe is seven layers of delusional, from thinking Beck is obsessed with him to awaiting the collapse of the internet so he can lord it over with his typewriters to thinking he ever helped anyone. However, some of what I thought he was making up at the beginning turned out to be close to the truth. Like how he says that Beck loves attention and is an exhibitionist. Still, I'd categorize him as an unreliable narrator.
Beck isn't a great person either. She has real issues and a way annoying personality. Joe's observation that she wants to be a writer more than she wants to write is spot on. Nevertheless, a victim is a victim whether or not they are "innocent" or you personally dislike them.
One of the book club questions at the end asked something along the lines of, "did you find yourself wishing Joe would be punished for his crimes or did you want him to get away with it?" And like... ?????????? If you found yourself sympathetic to Joe's self-imposed, imaginary, selfish plight, maybe you need help too?
I honestly cannot adequately express how despicable the main character is. I understand that that is the point. I feel dirty for reading this book, tbh, and I'm not continuing the series. Joe is too accurately written, and that's too depressing for me.
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity, Kidnapping, Car accident, Classism, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Death, Misogyny, Murder, Bullying, Confinement, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Toxic friendship, and Mental illness
_catleigh's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Murder, Stalking, Death, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
bccorrea's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Moderate: Stalking, Toxic friendship, Car accident, Confinement, Blood, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Death, Murder, and Toxic relationship
caitiebarton's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Stalking, Violence, Murder, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Kidnapping
_sawdust's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Stalking, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
add_a_little_spook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Stalking, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Kidnapping, Violence, Drug use, Murder, and Gaslighting
charkelley's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
You is essentially about a deeply troubled psychopath who falls into obsession with a deeply troubled writer, though Beck’s selfish tendencies certainly didn’t warrant her gruesome demise. Joe’s narration was the best part. Still managed to be funny while making me want to scrub my skin raw with a sponge.
Graphic: Cursing, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Car accident, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexual content
kingsteph's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Stalking and Sexual content
Moderate: Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Murder, Misogyny, Confinement, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, and Gaslighting
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Rape, and Self harm
lmbo138's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, Sexual content, and Stalking
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, and Drug use
newkgirl'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
And Joe is in love with Guinevere Beck, or rather the idea of her he’s created in his head while stalking her.
Joe is a completely unreliable narrator as he takes us through his world, giving everyone but Beck the least amount of thought and consideration. No one but her is as deep or emotionally mature as him. No one is as well read as him and her, no one matters but her.
When obstacles to their love pop up; a boyfriend here, a friend who wants her for herself there, and a therapist who becomes obsessed as well, Joe will do anything to “protect” Beck and keep them together. What’s a little murder in the name of love?
“You are a monster, deathly, solipsistic to the bone and you’re blasphemous because all you want is You.”
Caroline Kepnes’ ability to create a character such as Joe Goldberg is, to me, truly astounding and at the same time, quite unnerving. Caroline, are you okay? Did someone hurt you? Do you need help?
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Physical abuse, Confinement, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Death, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Addiction, Gaslighting, and Misogyny