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emmas_reads_'s review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-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
2.5
wow. this book was long. but short (thank god for that)! Summers sure knows how to write pretentious, unlikeable, unstable characters. and that is exactly what dorothy daniels is.
dorothy daniels is a sex-loving, borderline women-hating, antisemetic, racist, lesbophobic, and classist food snob. this book is supposed to be about dorothy critiquing women’s role in society. she brings up how she thinks monogamy is boring, that she won’t have kids, that she refuses to marry, that men are useful for sex, food, and manipulation and that’s about it. it honestly felt like dorothy hated women who decided to decided to do all of these things with men - the amount of times i wrote “just say you hate women and go” is astonishing for a book critiquing women’s gender roles in society.
the feminism in this book is more outright and blatant instead of the subtle critique i was hoping for. this felt just like the barbie (albeit with a cannibalistic serial murderess) - feminism 101.
the writing is…something. the author often shows what is unnecessary (food descriptions) and tells what is (emma and dorothy’s friendship developments). representations, descriptions, and comparisons are made with one of two things: food or genitalia. it’s very offputting - not necessarily uncomfortable but i did think it got excessive. i think the pretentiousness of the writing fit with dorothy’s characterization though, so even if it was a slog to get through i appreciate it.
i did enjoy the cannibalism (of which i do wish there was more of) and murder though. it’s why i bought this book in the first place. that part definitely delivered, and for that i’m thankful. delightfully sickening!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Antisemitism, Death, Murder, Violence, Cannibalism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Lesbophobia, Racism, Classism, and Sexual assault
beeword's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Definitely an interesting read. It took me longer to finish than a typical 250 page book and I think there were a couple of factors at play.
1. The main character doesn't experience a lot of emotions, which are usually what really invest me in a story.
2. The main character is a gourmand, and her tastes are far richer than what I'm familiar with. Many of the author's analogies and invocations use dishes or wines that my nugget-loving palette cannot comprehend.
I was keenly aware that I was missing out on nuanced portions that a more informed foodie could probably grasp with ease.
That being said, I loved this refined take on a female psychopath, and how unapologetically she was written.
If you want an FMC who is incredibly intelligent, driven, sexual, and pretentious, this book is for you!
1. The main character doesn't experience a lot of emotions, which are usually what really invest me in a story.
2. The main character is a gourmand, and her tastes are far richer than what I'm familiar with. Many of the author's analogies and invocations use dishes or wines that my nugget-loving palette cannot comprehend.
I was keenly aware that I was missing out on nuanced portions that a more informed foodie could probably grasp with ease.
That being said, I loved this refined take on a female psychopath, and how unapologetically she was written.
If you want an FMC who is incredibly intelligent, driven, sexual, and pretentious, this book is for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gore, Animal death, Cannibalism, Murder, and Sexual content
Moderate: Car accident
the_reading_vampire's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism and Murder
river23's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Gore, Murder, and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, Animal death, and Death of parent
erkkmoon's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I liked the descriptions of food more than the rest of the book, I think that says a lot, even though I'm a fan of horror and cannibalistic themes and was very excited in the beginning
like, it's a good book, i guess, but it's bad in various aspects and the writing style is not my cup of tea (“I tasted the bleach-and-umami flavour of his precum” what.)
interesting plot though?? idk, good but not that great
like, it's a good book, i guess, but it's bad in various aspects and the writing style is not my cup of tea (“I tasted the bleach-and-umami flavour of his precum” what.)
interesting plot though?? idk, good but not that great
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic friendship, Gore, Sexual content, Blood, Murder, Cannibalism, Car accident, Cursing, and Rape
obliteraturebygaytorayd's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Dorothy is the true gore-mand. Never has prose been so simultaneously disgusting and delightful. I wanted to languish in this book longer than I could, like any good meal or raunchy rendezvous. Dorothy experiences character growth, but not an overwhelming amount, nor is the majority of the book centered around obvious growth. The characters, while different in personality and presentation, remain flat-footed from Dorothy’s viewpoint. Never do I feel an ounce of love for her former lovers, nor do I feel anguish at their delectable demises. Dorothy presents a satirical, non-conformative, rather muted radicalism, while remaining consistently informative regarding foodie culture and the subversive desires of cultural caricatures (I.e, the other characters).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cannibalism, Gore, Murder, Body horror, Rape, Cursing, Death, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
xandrav's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Death, Gore, Body horror, Blood, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Rape
graecus_'s review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
i love books about unhinged women. dorothy is hinge-less and i love that for her. i absolutely devoured this book in one day. i had a great time. i really enjoyed the writing, and found the characters to be unique and well developed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Cannibalism, and Gore
litpages3's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Mental illness, Blood, Body horror, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder
kryskross's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Blood