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Beautiful language but idk what I just read like genuinely don’t know what the story even was. This was one my my most anticipated books of 2023 because I LOVED The Florida Project and The Virgin Suicides is one of my all time favorites — but I would argue that this book is not the combo of the two it’s being touted as. If you’re a fan of flowery prose and low-to-no plot then you may enjoy this.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dizz Tate writes super well but I am honestly so confused. I don’t know what any of it means…
No plot in sight but I still really enjoyed it. It’s very evil messy girlhood coded.
couldn’t get into it. felt like i was reading a sequel but hadn’t read the first book
i honestly could not tell you anything that happened because i don't think anything actually did happen
2.5 rounded down. On three separate occasions I tried to read this novel, but I kept returning it to the library because the opening just wasn't for me. Finally, I read it in its entirety and I have to say, it never got much better. I typically love weird books that don't have much plot, but Brutes just left me wondering if I missed something. I'm giving it a 2.5 instead of a 1 or 2 because I enjoyed a few aspects of the novel. Tate can clearly write beautiful prose and there were many gorgeous passages throughout the story. I also liked the setting. Who doesn't love a visit to Holy Land popping up in a book? I thought the parallels to the Epstein case were really well done, as well. I just wished I didn't have to wait until the last 30 pages of the book for things to get interesting.
I really enjoyed this ‘no real plot, just vibes’ book because the vibes hold up on their own. It reads like a visceral childhood memory—not one you fully understood at the time, but one that lingers, one you can physically feel yourself in even years later. Tate captures the haziness and intensity of being a 13-year-old girl, when nothing makes sense but everything feels monumental - all while weaving in deeper symbolism of the injustices of girlhood
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dnf at 48% about halfway through and was not pulling me in