Reviews

I went into this book not knowing a thing about the author or the story. I firmly believed right to the end that this was based on a true story and from the perspective of a real journalist. It was only afterwards when I - ironically - tried to search the town that was mentioned throughout that I realised the whole thing was fiction! Excellent writing and, as many have mentioned in their reviews here, touches on a very specific cultural experience of the internet and the way it affected young people. Excellent writing but do take care reading as there is a lot of graphic content.

Content Warnings

nekobobeko's review against another edition

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2.0

self-indulgent, anemic satire.
pale fire’s fingernail clippings.

rachelszo's review against another edition

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dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

theelmstreetlibrary's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective medium-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

5.0

r3dgiant's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-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

4.5

miriamrose's review against another edition

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i’ve never read a book that more accurately depicts the specific era of mid 2010s rabid tumblr and reddit usage and how easy it is for isolated teenagers to become sucked into those extremely dark and easily accessible sides of the internet to the point where it becomes a firm part of their reality. u can also tell how clearly eliza clark understands the psyche of teenage girls (and british class culture generally) and the specific hell that is the way they are capable of treating each other growing up. the vicious, insidious low level bullying that is described in detail is so painfully recognisable to anyone who grew up in the period described in the book. the true crime aspect was the most harrowing to read obviously but i was less interested in that than the details she builds upon about the town and the characters. its those details that flesh out the crime itself and paint the real picture

keliterate's review against another edition

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5.0

Masterful.

I had to pause several times and remind myself that Clark was writing in the perspective of an unreliable narrator. That this, in fact, was a work of fiction—because it all felt so real that I actually started questioning my role as a reader.

Much of the book is centered around a grisly murder involving high school social politics—which, as we come to discover, have real, horrible, and devastating effects. I admit that I didn’t know what to expect—this was my first Clark book—but going in blind honestly made for a brilliant read. Clark formulates a narrative as engaging as it is thought-provoking, writing in a style that made me both embarrassed and nostalgic for my own teenage self. She talks tumblr, reddit, and fanfiction here, in a manner akin to experiential history—this is the millennial generation in all its cringey, obsessive glory.

That said, this was absolutely masterful—a lesson in media consumption, perhaps, but also a look into the kind of mental health issues that the older generations cast aside. Through the deeply disturbing character studies (of course, take them with a grain of salt), we see how dangerous seemingly affectatious teenage trends can be; how intergenerational trauma often lends a hand in deepening their effects. Clark also explores a certain kind of classism here—moving beyond juvenile matters and touching on the kind of social separation that exists within Crow-of-Sea.

What stood out for me, in particular, was the reading experience. I devoured this book—I could not put it down. In a way, i felt myself ‘manipulated’ by the narrator, often feeling some kind of sympathy (disturbing, I know) for the different girls described in the story. Perhaps the point was to open up the discussion—to see that faults extend beyond the hand of some delusional teenage girl. Regardless, the ending scene wraps it up nicely, bringing the reader back into reality. It was a wake-up call, almost; a splash of cold water to wake the reader up from a deeply immersive reading experience.

I’m still wrapping my head around the brilliance of it all, if I’m going to be honest. This was so different and unique—a definite call for me to pick up Boy Parts as well.

jennyfromtheloch's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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