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isabelh0410's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I was not expecting to read this book so quickly. Its format was different - three parts: 1) a question posed at the top of the page and answered in a page or two by two alternating perspectives, 2) a short story format, and 3) a play script of writing students discussing the two previous parts as a memoir. I am amazed at what Naga was able to accomplish in these few pages. I'm having trouble articulating my thoughts on it. The complexities of language barriers, imposter syndrome, sexism, drug addiction, and the fabrication of lies all rear their terrible heads. This novel is a great embodiment of cultural clashes. I don't think I've ever been this turned off by two characters and yet be so invested in their stories. These characters are not lovable, perhaps not even likable, yet they are compelling because they feel tangible and real. They could be and are the readers, forcing us to consider our own ugly flaws.
"I have the kind of skin lazy white writers refer to with food: honey, latte, almond, cinnamon, caramel, et cetera."
"I have the kind of skin lazy white writers refer to with food: honey, latte, almond, cinnamon, caramel, et cetera."
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content, Rape, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Stalking, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Sexism, Addiction, and Classism
tashtasher's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Addiction, Classism, Sexual harassment, Drug use, Stalking, Colonisation, Drug abuse, Death, Rape, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Misogyny, and Suicide
kunkakuna's review
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexism and Drug abuse
Minor: Sexual assault, Xenophobia, and Sexual harassment
lacroixjames's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Rape
lautodd_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexism, Addiction, Classism, Grief, Drug use, War, Stalking, Rape, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence
Minor: Murder and Death
rainbowarpaint's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Drug abuse
Moderate: Stalking and Sexual violence
Minor: Drug use and Violence
kirstym25's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, and Addiction
Moderate: Death and Emotional abuse
bookishbrenbren's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ugh this was so good. I binge read the last 80% of it 😂 it was engrossing and there are also enough plot points to keep you turning the page.
I have so much to say but I'm still working through my thoughts! I will just say I looooooved the character of the protagonist and the lens of the author/narrator/reader. I loved how much the character underscores the hypocrisy of the west, of classism, of wealth. And the irony of judging non-American peoples with the lens of American morality and politics. I also loved the way she played with the idea of individual guilt and individual responsibility for restitution or reparation. Ugh there's just so much to dive into.
I have so much to say but I'm still working through my thoughts! I will just say I looooooved the character of the protagonist and the lens of the author/narrator/reader. I loved how much the character underscores the hypocrisy of the west, of classism, of wealth. And the irony of judging non-American peoples with the lens of American morality and politics. I also loved the way she played with the idea of individual guilt and individual responsibility for restitution or reparation. Ugh there's just so much to dive into.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Drug abuse, Addiction, Classism, Death, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Gaslighting, Death of parent, Murder, Violence, Stalking, Sexual assault, Rape, and Colonisation
danireadsthings's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I loved this book for what it was, what it did, and how it did it. I always find it hard to say I enjoyed a book as heavy, dark, and suffocating as this - but I was enraptured from page one. No matter how it twisted up my insides, no matter how heavy, I couldn’t look away.
I listened to this on audio (narrated, in part, by the author), which I know gave me a vastly different experience since I didn't have to labor through block text, in-line italicized dialogue, and other stylistic experimentation. I also went into this book with absolutely zero expectations or context for the genre. It was a wild step outside of my usual reading.
Part 1 and 2 - I loved the first two parts for the ways they contrasted how the characters’ moved through the world and the different motivations and interpretations of the same moments. We could see the animosity between them before the primary narrator even reflected on it herself. The narration picked up speed and intensity in Part two. Some of the violent imagery (check TWs) was hard to listen to, but it all ramped up to a climactic end.
Part 3 - I knew it was going to be something dramatic, from previous reviews I’d read, but was still a doozy. I’ll spoiler from here. At first I rolled my eyes at its navel-gazing, but as the dialogue went round and round, the analysis and opinions pinging off one another, fueling each other to fever pitch, then deflating momentarily just to ramp up once again, I found myself appreciating it for what it was. The commentary, while maybe trite for some, offered a perspective on how, no matter our best intentions, our intellect, and social awareness…no matter how hard we try to see the world through multiple lenses, we will always have to turn a blind eye to someone, some issue or group, in protection of another. I thought this was most powerfully displayed in the moment one girl questioning the narrative the story presented about rape effectively silenced a classmate who wanted to explore what the story said about class, power, and privilege. Its navel-gazing - so easily dismissed at first - was what sent me across the house to discuss the story at length with my spouse (who, as an aside, overheard me listening to the story midway and asked "Does this couple even like each other?"). It’s what made me sit and think back on the entire story prior and ask myself the same questions the students were asking. And then question - does that change my view of the story at all?
I would recommend this book, with the caveat that the end may infuriate you. Or it may make the story that much more powerful. And it seems like there’s very little in-between.
This book constantly made me question who I sympathized with and why at any given moment. It was rife with commentary on class, culture, performative activism, guilt, belonging, cultural identity, misogyny, male aggression, how we use others, and what it means to be a victim. And most of all, it is the type of story that sticks in your gut and pulls you back to consider it (for better or for worse) long after it's done.
I listened to this on audio (narrated, in part, by the author), which I know gave me a vastly different experience since I didn't have to labor through block text, in-line italicized dialogue, and other stylistic experimentation. I also went into this book with absolutely zero expectations or context for the genre. It was a wild step outside of my usual reading.
Part 1 and 2 - I loved the first two parts for the ways they contrasted how the characters’ moved through the world and the different motivations and interpretations of the same moments. We could see the animosity between them before the primary narrator even reflected on it herself. The narration picked up speed and intensity in Part two. Some of the violent imagery (check TWs) was hard to listen to, but it all ramped up to a climactic end.
Part 3 - I knew it was going to be something dramatic, from previous reviews I’d read, but was still a doozy. I’ll spoiler from here.
I would recommend this book, with the caveat that the end may infuriate you. Or it may make the story that much more powerful. And it seems like there’s very little in-between.
This book constantly made me question who I sympathized with and why at any given moment. It was rife with commentary on class, culture, performative activism, guilt, belonging, cultural identity, misogyny, male aggression, how we use others, and what it means to be a victim. And most of all, it is the type of story that sticks in your gut and pulls you back to consider it (for better or for worse) long after it's done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Classism, and Stalking
Moderate: Drug abuse, Rape, and Sexual violence
Minor: Cultural appropriation
froggoz13's review against another edition
emotional
tense
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I have so many questions and after reading the third part I am also very skeptical of the narrative of the book and have even more questions now. However, I really do like this and like how open ended the book feels, even though we do know what happens at the end.
I also really love the experimental writing style and it ads to the uncertainty and confusion I feel in the story. It was hard to put the book down. I stayed very invested in the story throughout the whole book.
I also really love the experimental writing style and it ads to the uncertainty and confusion I feel in the story. It was hard to put the book down. I stayed very invested in the story throughout the whole book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Addiction, Death, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, and Misogyny
Minor: Homophobia and Suicide