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lus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Mass/school shootings, Torture, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Body shaming, and Bullying
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Suicide
katarinabee's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Torture, Pedophilia, Mass/school shootings, Violence, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Death, Murder, Mental illness, and Child death
Moderate: Classism, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Fatphobia, Self harm, Suicide, Animal cruelty, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Bullying, and Rape
bookishmillennial'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
What a fascinating satirical novel that provides scathing commentary on true crime fixations, and "mean girl" culture. I also recognize the irony that I am now listening to the Crime Junkie podcast as I write this review. I'm also trash, and also part of the problem that Eliza Clark's novel comments on.
This book is actually a book within a book, which was wildly entertaining (and as I write "entertaining," I'm like 'omg, AGAIN, YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM BRITTANY!' but you know... at least I'm self aware I guess *cries at how annoying self is*). The book within the book is a true crime novel by journalist Alec Z. Carelli, who interviewed the suspects of a murder, and did extensive research about the murder. The murder happened about a decade ago as of the time that the book publishes, and Carelli believes the story was begging to be told! There is also a disclaimer at the very beginning of the book which notes that it came to light that Carelli fabricated much of what interviewees actually said, and facts were glamorized and polished in the final edit. That's how you start the book, wondering what was true and to what extent these interviewees are telling the truth too. It's a wild ride.
We receive perspectives from the three young women accused of the crime, who the victim Joan named before she died. The girls are from a northern seaside town, Crow-on-Sea, where class disparities left unfettered only heightened the cruelty and egos of these teenagers. Eliza Clark comes for the 2010s Tumblr honeys and takes no prisoners with the authentic portrayal of the deep dive into online spaces like Tumblr; we were all read for filth in this commentary on the internet culture when it comes to fandoms, fixations, and how we could essentially be complicit in such unrelenting ugliness. This was the era of Bella Swan, of notoriously shouting we were "not like other girls," and these three murder suspects were such delectable characterizations and slices of that. They represented the dangers of when internalized misogyny can become emotionally and physically violent. Most notably, the way their stories all differ and how they all point to the other as the true ringleader is terrifying and unsettling.
Ultimately, this made me uncomfortable, because that's how satirical litfic is supposed to make you feel! You are supposed to wince, and question your contribution to a certain darker part of larger culture. I certainly did! Anyway, I read this from a rec from my friend @maddysbookopinions for my #12Friends12Books 2024 reading challenge, and I'm really glad I did, even if I oscillated between anger, guilt, and horror for the characters; and admiration for Clark.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Bullying, Toxic friendship, Murder, and Torture
Moderate: Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Suicide
moa'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
4.75
Graphic: Mass/school shootings, Fire/Fire injury, Child abuse, Death, Kidnapping, Body horror, Gore, Physical abuse, Murder, Child death, and Bullying
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Rape
sandysmith's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Murder, Torture, and Bullying
Moderate: Child death, Suicide, Violence, Sexual assault, and Child abuse
krispomatic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
this book had incredible worldbuilding and the characters were fleshed out, including the journalist. this is a novel about the exploitation of tragedy and the cruelty of teenage girls, and how often things can be blown out of proportion by pure hysteria. i’m looking forward to clark’s next release.
Moderate: Torture, Suicide, Homophobia, Ableism, and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Sexual assault
e11en's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Torture, Toxic friendship, Child death, Gun violence, Bullying, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Alcohol, Drug use, Incest, and Suicide
Minor: Fatphobia, Ableism, and Homophobia
tallhousecookies's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Confinement, Murder, Torture, Toxic friendship, Self harm, Mental illness, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, and Child death
Moderate: Suicide
pilarlopezleiva's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Murder, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual assault, Bullying, Mass/school shootings, Self harm, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Gore, Grief, Torture, Kidnapping, Child death, Death, Mental illness, and Suicide
bold's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Murder, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Mass/school shootings, Torture, Bullying, Toxic relationship, and Drug use
Moderate: Homophobia, Child death, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Death