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beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Moderate: Fatphobia, Gun violence, Incest, Racism, Dementia, Cultural appropriation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cancer, Terminal illness, and Xenophobia
waytoomanybooks'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
5.0
The characters are all so messed up and maladjusted that you just don't know exactly what they're going to say or do to the poor narrator next. No one can truly be trusted; not even our dear, misbegotten narrator, whom we follow throughout. You can’t help but feel sorry for her as she founders through trial after trial. As you watch her struggle to get her footing, your emotions will start to mirror hers, by turns anxious, frightened, manic, and resigned.
The build up to each plot twist is harrowing. Anxiety seeps out of every crevice of this novel in both the characters and in the setting. The unease is palpable.
The reason that I marked the book as a slow-paced read on my StoryGraph review is because I often found myself slowing down or rereading passages to make sure I wasn't missing something potentially important. The action happens in fits and starts, keeping the reader on their toes. It is truly delightful and engaging read!
Additionally, Hitchcock's 1940 adaptation is incredibly faithful to the book, and I highly recommend it as well!
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, and Grief
Minor: Cancer, Gun violence, Incest, and Terminal illness
vicanarc_'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
2.25
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Racism and Sexism
Minor: Incest
tij'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
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Murder
Minor: Incest, Misogyny, Racism, and Suicidal thoughts
sunfishcakes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
In all seriousness, if you liked Phantom Thread and/or Gone Girl, read this book.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Moderate: Ableism, Incest, and Racism
Minor: Forced institutionalization
nicolinebl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I must admit I have seen the newest movie version before reading the book. I was confused at the time what the genre was: at first it seemed like a romance, then a horror, then a thriller. In book form it did make a bit more sense.
There was a thing that kind of irked me the wrong way while reading; the very big age gap between the main character and Maxim. She's described as a young woman around 18-20 and he is around 45. There are several moments that he is described as someone who could be her father. I guess that might've been more normal when this book was published though? Still felt kinda weird.
I hated most characters in this book to be honest but the main character was likable - although I felt sorry for her. She felt a lot of anxiety about a lot of things (relatable, to be honest) and I feel like a lot of that could have been prevented if people in this book just talked to each other. Poor girl.
It was quite hard for me to read as it was old English and English isn't my native language either. I managed quite well though, I think. My English teacher would be proud.
I enjoyed it but think the first part could maybe have been a bit shorter.
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcoholism, Incest, Infidelity, Sexism, and Suicide
Minor: Infertility and Dementia
nickoliver's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Death and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexism, and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Incest, Infidelity, Sexual content, Suicide, and Violence
More details to the CW: incest: it's between two cousins, and it's not really seen as something scandalous, so it might've been normal back then suicide: a character is implied to have killed themself, but as a reader, you know that's not true Also CW for casual racism (a character does blackface, for example), murder, and drowning and hanging (both of these two only talked about)annablume's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
i've got problems with anxiety and certain passeges make you really feel the main characters anxiety and i had to take breaks when reading them.
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Moderate: Ableism and Alcoholism
coolmombeck's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Minor: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Sexism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Grief
the_rainydayreader's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Incest, Infidelity, and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism and Suicide
Minor: Cancer