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abbiebuckham77's review against another edition
5.0
I read this without realising it was a sequel to Pretend I’m Dead (which I’m now currently reading) and was very confused at the beginning… however, I loved this book and all its whacky and funny plots. I can’t wait to read more of Jen Beagin.
cooperlayneellis's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
if you ignore the casual racism and the same names, themes, and ideas as her other books, its good. I felt like I was reading big swiss again but the main character had a different occupation
crystalina0623's review against another edition
3.0
Not good, but not bad. Would read the next book in the series. But damn the main character is so tortured. Would keep reading just to get to know Piñon.
laurakfinnegan's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Sexual content
Minor: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Infidelity, Addiction, Self harm, Drug use, and Child abuse
caroline21's review against another edition
3.0
Didn’t enjoy as much as the first book, but still entertaining
shellbean's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- 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
3.0
barkingstars's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- 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
4.0
allythegingy's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
literarycrushes's review against another edition
4.0
Vacuum in the Dark by Jen Beagin will make you and laugh, often within the same sentence. The story focuses on Mona, a 26-year-old feeling adrift in life (this is basically its own literally genre by now), working as a cleaning woman in Taos, New Mexico. Jen Beagin reads to me as a sort of edgier (if not edgier, definitely darker) Sally Rooney or even a less isolated Ottessa Moshfegh character. Like Moshfegh’s work, this book fell somewhere between literally fiction and something more poppy you might read about in People Magazine (this is a good thing). The book really gets what it’s like to feel kind of lost at that in-between age where you’re not a child anymore, but still don’t feel like a *real* adult yet.
Plus, Mona’s imaginary friend is Terry Gross, which is honestly reason enough to read this book.
**after reading some reviews of this book I guess it’s actually a sequel to one called ‘Pretend I’m Dead.’ I never felt lost or left out but if that’s something that’s important to you, you can read the other one first!
Plus, Mona’s imaginary friend is Terry Gross, which is honestly reason enough to read this book.
**after reading some reviews of this book I guess it’s actually a sequel to one called ‘Pretend I’m Dead.’ I never felt lost or left out but if that’s something that’s important to you, you can read the other one first!
katydidreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75