Reviews

Pretend I'm Dead by Jen Beagin

ghoul_at_home's review against another edition

medium-paced

4.0

gralicia's review against another edition

dark reflective sad 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

5.0

I absolutely loved this! There were a few dark detours down Mona's memories that were confronting, but important.

I thought the 4 chapters based on different interactions and characters was a great way to pace the book; almost 4 short stories that interwove.

I just read that there is a sequel and I'll be heading out to find it asap!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse

laurakfinnegan's review against another edition

dark funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Self harm, Pedophilia, Drug use, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Addiction, and Toxic relationship

caroline21's review against another edition

4.5

really liked it. Good plot and felt cyclical. also really liked the character, love the way the author writes especially dialogue, and creates interesting worlds

carriepond's review against another edition

dark funny medium-paced

• 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

The main character in Pretend I'm Dead by Jen Beagin is Mona, a woman in her 20s who works as maid and volunteers with a needle exchange non-profit. It is through the latter that she meets and begins dating an older man, whom she calls "Mr. Disgusting," just as he emerges from rehab. From there, Mona interacts with a varied cast of characters, all the while sifting through her own baggage in moving and weird ways.

I've read Beagin's most recent novel, Big Swiss, and liked it very much, so I knew what I would probably get with this one, her debut. For those who have read Big Swiss, Pretend I'm Dead is similar vibes, and both very much live in a category of book that I am drawn to-- dark but funny character studies of women who are kind of fucked up but somehow remain endearing. I really enjoyed this one.

icunningham's review against another edition

dark emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

nataliaivonica's review against another edition

4.0

3.75

got a bit messy in the second third. felt a little bit pointless just wandering around, the focus of the story not being clear as it was in the beginning with mr disgusting. ending felt a bit rushed but i really liked the overall style.
can't wait for the big swiss book and the big swiss tv show. yes, i'm reading jen beagin's work because jodie comer is attached to her next project. i'm a villanelle girly through and through.

santiboo72's review

5.0

Brilliant

Extremely funny. Too short though. Wound gave loved to have read about monas further adventures.
Hopefully there will be more from this author

mmauze's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

hollyfcooper's review

adventurous dark funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

one of those books where it feels like lots happens but also not much happens at the same time? love the protagonist and the narration is fun