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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
this book really surprised me in the best way. it’s darkly funny, touching, and relatable in ways i didn’t expect. gilda is exactly my kind of protagonist: morbid, sarcastic, anxious, and always doing questionable (yet oddly relatable) risky things. she thinks about death constantly, which, as someone who does the same, i found both hilarious and painfully accurate.
emily austin captures that uncomfortable blend of humour and despair so well. there were moments where i felt seen, and moments that just made me snort out loud.
as the story went on, i realised something deeper: beneath her cynicism, gilda is actually terrified of death. that’s why she’s always on the edge of a panic attack, why she’s so paranoid about sudden freak accidents like in a final destination film.
overall though, this was such a unique read. it’s one of those books that makes you laugh about death and despair while quietly holding your hand through it all.
emily austin captures that uncomfortable blend of humour and despair so well. there were moments where i felt seen, and moments that just made me snort out loud.
as the story went on, i realised something deeper: beneath her cynicism, gilda is actually terrified of death. that’s why she’s always on the edge of a panic attack, why she’s so paranoid about sudden freak accidents like in a final destination film.
overall though, this was such a unique read. it’s one of those books that makes you laugh about death and despair while quietly holding your hand through it all.
"Sometimes I feel like the only escape I have is becoming completely apathetic to everything or dying. I just don't want to upset people."
God this book was a trip! Every second was a mix of relating to Gilda while simultaneously begging her to stop making another bad choice in a series of bad choices. Makes you think long and hard about mental illness, existence, and being a inadvertent asshole.
I'm planning to read it instead of listening to the audiobook as well in case I get any new perspectives on it that way, so i'll update this review if so!
God this book was a trip! Every second was a mix of relating to Gilda while simultaneously begging her to stop making another bad choice in a series of bad choices. Makes you think long and hard about mental illness, existence, and being a inadvertent asshole.
I'm planning to read it instead of listening to the audiobook as well in case I get any new perspectives on it that way, so i'll update this review if so!
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
This was a distinct and often (very darkly) funny read. Many of Gilda's choices were NOT relatable, but they were interesting.
Two highlights for me were:
a. The cathartic unleashing at Guiseppe
b. The idea that if things like rainbows, lightning, whales, lions, dreaming, etc. weren't real, we could consider them magic. Daaaaamn, what a striking + moving way to think of the world around us.
Two highlights for me were:
a. The cathartic unleashing at Guiseppe
b. The idea that if things like rainbows, lightning, whales, lions, dreaming, etc. weren't real, we could consider them magic. Daaaaamn, what a striking + moving way to think of the world around us.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a wonderful surprise this was! I’m not sure what I was expecting, but this was utterly delightful. Gilda is very compelling and oddly likeable despite being a hot mess. I found myself rooting for her straight away and I’m quite happy with how it ended.
Side note: as a person raised Catholic (no longer practicing) I got a HUGE kick out of Gilda’s discovery and interpretation of the various idiosyncrasies of the church. Howling with laughter at some points. Well done!
Side note: as a person raised Catholic (no longer practicing) I got a HUGE kick out of Gilda’s discovery and interpretation of the various idiosyncrasies of the church. Howling with laughter at some points. Well done!
absolutely devoured this AHH loved it so so much. very bleak for the most part yet somehow the most fun i’ve ever had reading a book? also definitely the most times i’ve ever laughed in one book. i love gilda with my whole heart
emotional
reflective
sad
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
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated