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snowwhitehatesapples's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Also on Snow White Hates Apples.
The Hysterical Girls of St. Bernadette’s is a book that reflects the feminine rage of Malaysian girls who’ve been in positions similar to those of the main characters. Whose ’emotional’, valid reactions have been written off as hysterical. Whose voices have been oppressed and bodies have been commodified. Who had to live and relive trauma because of an unjust society and system. Who had to play the ‘desired’ victim just so people would listen and do something.
It’s an unapologetically angry book, seething silently with violence itching terribly for relief. And, this palpable rage itself is justified because why must abusers walk free and victims shunned? Why is one sex’s actions and reactions more valid than the other? Why must bodily autonomy be fought for and not automatically granted?
Our primary characters, Khadijah and Rachel, face these questions and more throughout the entire book. They deal with their own share of traumas (Khad has become mute since her stepfather’s assault while Rachel has always been burdened by her mother’s stringent, draconian expectations), separate narratives unfolding in tandem before converging where they’re both close to discovering the dark secret that has been hidden within the shadows of their school for years.
All this makes for a powerful story of girls protecting girls, girls standing their ground or finding the courage to, girls giving their all to no longer be viewed as no more than an object, and more. But, this isn’t all. The Hysterical Girls of St. Bernadette’s also shows that despite the presence of the supernatural (y’all the jump scares had my heart pounding, it’s so realistic because they happened in my high school too), they aren’t necessarily the monsters we must fear. Instead, it’s man who embodies monstrosity more than actual monsters.
This book isn’t without flaws, though, and the biggest one would be the anticlimactic ending. It’s a satisfying ending, yes, but it would’ve been better to include a resolution for Julianna since she played such a large role… Also, like, hello, how could you not give her a proper burial? How could you leave her there with her tormentor!?
Still, The Hysterical Girls of St. Bernadette’s is definitely the best Hanna Alkaf book I’ve read to date. It reminded me of Girl from Nowhere , a Thai show I recently watched, but it turned out to be different which I enjoyed.
The Hysterical Girls of St. Bernadette’s is a book that reflects the feminine rage of Malaysian girls who’ve been in positions similar to those of the main characters. Whose ’emotional’, valid reactions have been written off as hysterical. Whose voices have been oppressed and bodies have been commodified. Who had to live and relive trauma because of an unjust society and system. Who had to play the ‘desired’ victim just so people would listen and do something.
It’s an unapologetically angry book, seething silently with violence itching terribly for relief. And, this palpable rage itself is justified because why must abusers walk free and victims shunned? Why is one sex’s actions and reactions more valid than the other? Why must bodily autonomy be fought for and not automatically granted?
Our primary characters, Khadijah and Rachel, face these questions and more throughout the entire book. They deal with their own share of traumas (Khad has become mute since her stepfather’s assault while Rachel has always been burdened by her mother’s stringent, draconian expectations), separate narratives unfolding in tandem before converging where they’re both close to discovering the dark secret that has been hidden within the shadows of their school for years.
All this makes for a powerful story of girls protecting girls, girls standing their ground or finding the courage to, girls giving their all to no longer be viewed as no more than an object, and more. But, this isn’t all. The Hysterical Girls of St. Bernadette’s also shows that despite the presence of the supernatural (y’all the jump scares had my heart pounding, it’s so realistic because they happened in my high school too), they aren’t necessarily the monsters we must fear. Instead, it’s man who embodies monstrosity more than actual monsters.
This book isn’t without flaws, though, and the biggest one would be the anticlimactic ending. It’s a satisfying ending, yes, but it would’ve been better to include a resolution for Julianna since she played such a large role… Also, like, hello, how could you not give her a proper burial? How could you leave her there with her tormentor!?
Still, The Hysterical Girls of St. Bernadette’s is definitely the best Hanna Alkaf book I’ve read to date. It reminded me of Girl from Nowhere , a Thai show I recently watched, but it turned out to be different which I enjoyed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Grief, and Gaslighting
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual assault
aformeracceleratedreader's review
medium-paced
5.0
Read trigger/content warnings. The author does have a brief warning at the beginning as well.
Once again, Hanna Alkaf writes another banger for me. She has quickly become my fave ya author not only because culturally I can connect, but also her writing is just so good. It's a great take on supernatural horror/haunted house (well in this case haunted school) while also discussing heavy topics like sexual assault, r*p*, and PTSD. I enjoyed the characters and the story line flowed well for me. I liked the ending overall, but I wish there was one little thing involving the first missing girl to fully close the story. I did start to tear up at one part towards the end which the author somehow always makes me emotional in her books.
There were very topical and memorable lines toward the last fourth of the book like "How many times have we dismissed a girl because she acts in ways that makes us uncomfortable?" and "Perhaps girls just do what they can to get by. To survive." Plus many more that I even took pics of the pages with the lines on them.
I will def be watching out for what the author writes next because every single thing she has written has been top tier for me.
Once again, Hanna Alkaf writes another banger for me. She has quickly become my fave ya author not only because culturally I can connect, but also her writing is just so good. It's a great take on supernatural horror/haunted house (well in this case haunted school) while also discussing heavy topics like sexual assault, r*p*, and PTSD. I enjoyed the characters and the story line flowed well for me. I liked the ending overall, but I wish there was one little thing involving the first missing girl to fully close the story. I did start to tear up at one part towards the end which the author somehow always makes me emotional in her books.
There were very topical and memorable lines toward the last fourth of the book like "How many times have we dismissed a girl because she acts in ways that makes us uncomfortable?" and "Perhaps girls just do what they can to get by. To survive." Plus many more that I even took pics of the pages with the lines on them.
I will def be watching out for what the author writes next because every single thing she has written has been top tier for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Grief, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape
cookiemonstaly's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? No
5.0
I read this in (almost) one sitting.
This is a story about young girls on the cusp of adulthood, whose lives up to that point have only revolved around excelling in school. This a story about young girls and all the adults in their lives who have failed them.
In an all-girls school, there is a mass hysteria occurrence. No rhyme or reason, girls randomly start screaming.
In the midst of all this, there is Khadijah and Rachel. Khadijah, who has gone silent after a traumatic event, throws herself into trying to solve the mystery of the hysteric episodes. Meanwhile, Rachel is struggling to hold up the perfect life her mother has demanded of her while dealing with the voice inside her that wants to be free.
So much of the story feels so familiar to me, mirroring my own schooling experiences. Especially the need to “save face” and to have to sweep everything under the rug when the unspeakable happen.
When that twist happens near the end, it feels like relief because finally, FINALLY, someone is on the side of these young girls. Someone is actually protecting them. I could not have asked for a better ending.
This is a story about young girls on the cusp of adulthood, whose lives up to that point have only revolved around excelling in school. This a story about young girls and all the adults in their lives who have failed them.
In an all-girls school, there is a mass hysteria occurrence. No rhyme or reason, girls randomly start screaming.
In the midst of all this, there is Khadijah and Rachel. Khadijah, who has gone silent after a traumatic event, throws herself into trying to solve the mystery of the hysteric episodes. Meanwhile, Rachel is struggling to hold up the perfect life her mother has demanded of her while dealing with the voice inside her that wants to be free.
So much of the story feels so familiar to me, mirroring my own schooling experiences. Especially the need to “save face” and to have to sweep everything under the rug when the unspeakable happen.
When that twist happens near the end, it feels like relief because finally, FINALLY, someone is on the side of these young girls. Someone is actually protecting them. I could not have asked for a better ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexual assault
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
3.0
Oh I wanted to like this more than I did. The premise was so interesting and it generally felt different than most YA thrillers out there. I do think the marketing did this one a disservice because it is marketed as dark academia, but it didn't read that way to me. Yes, it was taking place at a boarding school, but the academic aspect didn't necessarily play into the overall mystery/thriller plot taking place.
I did appreciate the way that this explores body automony, trauma, and relationships between teen girls. The relationships and characters are really what drive the main story in the book, which was definitely one of my favorite aspects of the story.
I did appreciate the way that this explores body automony, trauma, and relationships between teen girls. The relationships and characters are really what drive the main story in the book, which was definitely one of my favorite aspects of the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Gaslighting
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
sophiehatters's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
starglitters's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.75
The Hysterical Girls of St. Bernadette’s is not just a mass hysteria story. It is a story of sisterhood, of female rage, of a woman’s identity (as a girl, a woman, a mother, a daughter, a sister), of a woman’s voice. It is a story about finding your voice, and about listening to these voices.
This book is in equal part scary and comforting. Terrifying, but full of heart.
This book is in equal part scary and comforting. Terrifying, but full of heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
pamshenanigans's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
4.0
Thank you to the publisher and the author for providing an e-ARC of this book. This, in no way, influenced my review.
“Because all anyone ever asked me about was my pain. My body for their belief, a complete transaction”
Coming from Catholic schools for most of my life, the pull that this book had on me when I first saw the announcement was palpable. I just know I need to read it; made even more evident since it’s by Hanna Alkaf! I loved The Girl and the Ghost so I had high expectations jumping in on this one. Honestly? I was not disappointed!
The story and plot itself were full of intrigue: imagine an all-girls school that has a sudden case of mass hysteria with girls literally screaming one by one. You’d be left wondering and wanting to fly through the pages because you badly need the answers pronto.
Paired with the very imaginative and vivid writing, the horrific scenes play out like a classic Asian horror movie in my head as I was reading it, which I really enjoyed!
While the pacing was pretty slow (for me), it painted a chilling and jarring picture of just how deep and messed up the real issue is at this school. Don’t even get me started with the irony of silencing screaming girls! This alone will rile you up and make you so angry because the adults who were supposed to keep these students safe and heard were the ones setting them aside to save face and uphold the school’s reputation for producing only the brightest students; the parents and guardians who were responsible for creating a safe space failed to protect them. That for the girls to be believed, there has to be something extreme and detrimental that has to happen to them first. That they have to be a victim first. That the shadows lurking aren’t always the ghosts we fear.
Characters like the school’s counselor, Mr. B, were extra infuriating because they mask their judgment and backhanded comments with fake empathy. Because at least with Rachel’s obsessive and perfectionist mother, you’ll have obvious reasons to hate her.
Also at the heart of this story are friends who’ve always been with the girls to show their support and to the friendships made along the way. It realistically displayed how friends can also disappoint us despite having their hearts in the right places. That sometimes we’ll have to sit with our issues and challenges alone before we can open up and trust again.
I’ll have to say, though, that the ending wasn’t fully satisfying. While I’m glad to see character developments towards the end, I felt that with the level of frustrations that the story built up, it wasn’t able to fully realize the same level of satisfaction in having the real villains accountable. I feel like people would just set aside the girls’ account of the events and brush these off as accusations of hysterical runaway girls.
But I guess that’s also the beauty of the ending, you’d just have to trust the girls’ grit, courage, and booming voices.
If you’re going to pick this up (which you should!), prepare to be scared, engaged, and enraged!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexual assault