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emilyinherhead's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
How do I even describe this book? It's written in three sections:
(1) About a group of teens at a performing arts high school, taking drama classes and Feeling Their Feelings.
(2) About a few of those same characters, years later.
(3) About a young woman searching for someone we met in the first section.
It's impossible to say much more about the plot without giving spoilers, so just know that:
• Susan Choi is so freaking smart and the writing is excellent
• If you were a theater (sorry, theatre) kid or attended any sort of performing arts school, the first section will probably really resonate with you
• You will probably be confused at the end and you might go down an internet rabbit hole of reviews and explanations, hoping to understand What Exactly Just Happened To You
But wow, what a novel.
(1) About a group of teens at a performing arts high school, taking drama classes and Feeling Their Feelings.
(2) About a few of those same characters, years later.
(3) About a young woman searching for someone we met in the first section.
It's impossible to say much more about the plot without giving spoilers, so just know that:
• Susan Choi is so freaking smart and the writing is excellent
• If you were a theater (sorry, theatre) kid or attended any sort of performing arts school, the first section will probably really resonate with you
• You will probably be confused at the end and you might go down an internet rabbit hole of reviews and explanations, hoping to understand What Exactly Just Happened To You
But wow, what a novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Sexual assault and Toxic relationship
literaryliaisons's review against another edition
3.0
What a bleak novel, but I can see why it won the National Book Award. Choi's prose is arresting. Overall, I'm glad I read it and will probably be tempted to pick up another novel by Choi in the future for her prose alone, and the boldness of her stylistic decisions.
All in all, I would certainly recommend this novel to others if they enjoy contemporary literary fiction and are comfortable with the content. The three instances of explicit sexual assault in this novel, as well as the child grooming, make it a difficult sell and I would probably lead with this content warning before giving the recommendation. Nevertheless, this novel was compelling, especially the second section and the "complication" of the established narrative that Karen presents. I also very much appreciated the spot-on theatrical details and the unfortunately accurate portrayal of the (few but prevalent) predatory figures that lurk in performing arts spaces.
All in all, I would certainly recommend this novel to others if they enjoy contemporary literary fiction and are comfortable with the content. The three instances of explicit sexual assault in this novel, as well as the child grooming, make it a difficult sell and I would probably lead with this content warning before giving the recommendation. Nevertheless, this novel was compelling, especially the second section and the "complication" of the established narrative that Karen presents. I also very much appreciated the spot-on theatrical details and the unfortunately accurate portrayal of the (few but prevalent) predatory figures that lurk in performing arts spaces.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Bullying and Emotional abuse
MASSIVE trigger warning/content warning in this one for sexual assault and grooming/coercion. All three of the main women in the story are assaulted on the page explicitly (not just mentioned in passing or alluded to).alyson'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
breaky's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying and Child abuse
zakarii's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual assault
gabriellejane's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Grief
saltydough's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The narrative structure of this book is super weird, and I wasn't aware of that beforehand. Needless to say, it took me aback. I really enjoyed the criticism of the stories we tell ourselves contained within the book, and the second section captured my attention completely. I can't say the same of the third act, which I believe should not have been included in the book at all. The prose was beautifully original, and I don't think I've ever come across any author who can express the grotesque experience of receiving unwanted attentions from a creepy man as well as Choi.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, and Sexual assault
knkoch's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This was a powerful and intense book. It’s sharp and prickly and challenged me- to think harder, more critically, to pick sides and change allegiances. This story doesn’t spell everything out, and I’m sure it will be spinning in my mind for a while to come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
This book thoroughly and graphically explores teacher-student sexual relationships.avocado0442's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
this book fucked me up so badly...there are so many layers to unpeel & even after finishing it, it's hard to pull everything apart because all of the threads are so densely packed both onto and into each other. will definitely reread in the future!
on another note, i really enjoyed susan's choi style and writing. it is so detached but raw at the same time.
on another note, i really enjoyed susan's choi style and writing. it is so detached but raw at the same time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault
meganm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
One of the best books I've read in years.
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence