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sshabein's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, and Drug use
lay_kone's review against another edition
2.0
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Addiction, Sexual content, Pedophilia, Car accident, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, and Drug abuse
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis and Mental illness
caroisreading's review
- 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
2.75
I was stressed reading this, and truly despised everyone in this book. There were out-of-character moments when Emma Cline wrote really thought-provoking commentary on elitism, relationships, abuse and sexism, but they were moments of clarity detached from the mess that was Alex, stumbling through her journey with pain killers, booze, sex and fear. She's running from an abusive man wanting his money back, while running towards her "safest" option, another man who has money, a vicious cycle.
There were lots of references to Alex thinking she was a ghost, as she moved through life as an accessory, never spoken to, and quite literally looked through. She survived by playing these strangers, by blending in, and appealing to them with sex and pleasant company. Race wasn't a factor in this, and I assumed she and everyone around her were white (lots of "blond hair," "Germanic" descriptions), so this made her deception even more frictionless as she entered these social circles.
I closed this book and was like, yep, got it, I'm depressed and slightly annoyed. And I've been here before with other "messed up pretty girl" narratives.
This is worth a read if you want something darker, grimy, reflective of today's imbalanced relationships and wealth disparity.
Graphic: Alcohol, Addiction, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Physical abuse, Rape, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
auudrey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Drug use and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
spencerssnow's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Minor: Addiction, Toxic relationship, and Drug abuse
manukahoney_reads's review against another edition
Graphic: Classism, Stalking, Abandonment, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content and Stalking
0live_tr33's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Car accident
Moderate: Classism, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, and Sexual content
Minor: Mental illness
tashtasher's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Classism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Mental illness
Moderate: Suicide, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Cursing, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Blood, Car accident, and Bullying
drowsyowl'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
4.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Classism, Drug abuse, Sexual content, Addiction, Mental illness, and Grief
Moderate: Sexism, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Trafficking
daniellemjoyce'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
4.75
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, Drug abuse, and Toxic relationship