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jennsp's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Gaslighting, Forced institutionalization, Body shaming, Lesbophobia, Eating disorder, Dysphoria, Drug abuse, Bullying, Fatphobia, Vomit, Death, Confinement, Child abuse, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexism, Rape, and Misogyny
elj_ne's review against another edition
4.0
Damn this book is dark. It’s a very very bleak dystopia, and I think part of what enthralled me in 2015 was the relentless lack of options and hope. It’s very good on internalised misogyny, toxic masculinity and as a portrayal of a protagonist gradually losing her mind, and I think the plot and pacing make it a quick read. Since 2015 I’ve read a lot of Louise O’Neills other novels and they’ve definitely matured in terms of character and world building, writing and themes, which is really great to see. This definitely has a lack of subtlety that can be easily forgiven as a debut novel. I agree with my 2015 self that I wish we’d seen more of isabel, and I don’t think I’ll read it a third time but I’m glad I reread it.
2015 review (5 stars):
Holy shit. This book destroyed me - don't read it if you want anything happy, because this is not it. The society is depressing and so wrong (seriously who even came up with it as an idea?? It's ridiculous and awful), but a lot of things are painfully familiar, including eating disorders, the cruel way teenage girls can treat each other, and even the way in which the hatred of "feminine traits" affects men who dare to exhibit them. There was also a scene that will feel very, very familiar to anyone who has ever had an anxiety attack. Triggers everywhere, be warned, and a dose of cruel homophobia as well. I wish we'd had more from isabel to get a better hold on her character, but great book that I will probably never read again unless I want to cry a lot.
Graphic: Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Homophobia, Misogyny, Addiction, Sexism, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Forced institutionalization, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Vomit, and Drug use
mosimo2321's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Drug abuse, Drug use, Dysphoria, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Sexism, Misogyny, Mental illness, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Excrement, Vomit, Gaslighting, Genocide, Grief, Infertility, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Suicide, Hate crime, Self harm, Racism, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Infidelity, and Sexual violence
readingroses's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Gore, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit
ponydanza's review
2.5
Graphic: Confinement, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Sexism, and Vomit