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This is a 3.5 for me, rounded up.
The first 1/3rd left me really frustrated - I wasn't enjoying the prose or the story, and at one point I thought about giving up. I literally said out loud, "I don't think I'm smart enough to understand this." However, around then, the writing style changed, and it became much easier follow. In fact I was really, really enjoying it. But then somewhere in the last few chapters it kind of lost me again, and I felt a little disappointed.
This had been on my list for a while and was my suggestion for bookclub. I purposely didn't read any reviews or spoilers before hand, just the book jacket summary. Having finished, I do have concerns that bookclub will ask me to leave as this is definitely not our typical pick, but I personally do tend to lean into the more bizarre stuff.
When I finished I took to the internet and found that there are a lot of reviews and even theories about the meaning behind the story and honestly, I think watching these videos and reading these reviews had me reflecting on the book in a more positive way.
I listened to this and the vast majority is incredibly well performed by Sophie Amoss except for her truly atrocious attempt at a Scottish accent. When that character spoke, I couldn't tell if they were Russian or hard of hearing or a vampire - how someone didn't stop her and ask her to rehearse more is beyond me. Each scene with this character took me out of the book completely.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes horror, satire, cults and "dark academia," which I only just realized is a genre.
The first 1/3rd left me really frustrated - I wasn't enjoying the prose or the story, and at one point I thought about giving up. I literally said out loud, "I don't think I'm smart enough to understand this." However, around then, the writing style changed, and it became much easier follow. In fact I was really, really enjoying it. But then somewhere in the last few chapters it kind of lost me again, and I felt a little disappointed.
This had been on my list for a while and was my suggestion for bookclub. I purposely didn't read any reviews or spoilers before hand, just the book jacket summary. Having finished, I do have concerns that bookclub will ask me to leave as this is definitely not our typical pick, but I personally do tend to lean into the more bizarre stuff.
When I finished I took to the internet and found that there are a lot of reviews and even theories about the meaning behind the story and honestly, I think watching these videos and reading these reviews had me reflecting on the book in a more positive way.
I listened to this and the vast majority is incredibly well performed by Sophie Amoss except for her truly atrocious attempt at a Scottish accent. When that character spoke, I couldn't tell if they were Russian or hard of hearing or a vampire - how someone didn't stop her and ask her to rehearse more is beyond me. Each scene with this character took me out of the book completely.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes horror, satire, cults and "dark academia," which I only just realized is a genre.
I didn't get it until someone else explained it to me. If I had figured it out myself I would have thought it was brilliant. It was just too much for me.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was almost a DNF for me. I did not enjoy this book but had high hopes it would get better. It did not.
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dark and twisty. Hilarious social commentary, sad portrayal of loneliness and the depths the mind can go to when it needs companionship. No clear right-or-wrong interpretation - left up to the reader to decide what’s real and what’s imagination.
dark
mysterious
fast-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
It starts off pretty good and feels like something new. Somewhere around the halfway mark it hit the peak and starts to fall off and become a bit uninteresting.
If you are a fan, check out Julie Chan is Dead. Pretty similar concept done better.
If you are a fan, check out Julie Chan is Dead. Pretty similar concept done better.
dark
reflective
medium-paced
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
Don’t read if you don’t like magical realism. The main character is annoying and makes some really dumb decisions and tends to wallow in her own outsiderness. Samantha has absolutely no spine and is unbearably indecisive. The premise is interesting and there were some good twists but just not my style of book. In general it feels like an English class book.
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I feel like I need to read this book a second time to really absorb and understand it especially with the information that was revealed at the end. I would say I didn’t laugh as much as I thought I would.
Content Warnings
Weirdly sexual and graphic way of explaining the most mundane thing. Uncomfortable