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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
This was a very strange read for me, because although I started out not liking Ani at all, I was still enthralled with her story. I loved how the author unfolded events the way she did, so what I believed was the big "event", for lack of a better word, was really only one aspect of the plot. Ani was such a complex character, and really well written, and while I don't know that I ever completely warmed up to her, I was still able to empathize with her situation and understand why she was the way she was.
One thing I didn't like, and felt was overdone, was the brand name dropping, if that's even a thing. Ani was constantly going on about different name brand items, from shoes to bags to cars, and judging people on their appearance, and while I can understand that this was a part of Ani's success-o-meter, for me it was exhausting! I don't think I've ever googled as many things for a book as I did for this one, and by about halfway through I gave up, simply dismissing whatever article of clothing Ani was describing as over the top expensive and leaving it at that. I'm just happy my life isn't so materialistic, I obviously wouldn't be able to handle it!
One thing I didn't like, and felt was overdone, was the brand name dropping, if that's even a thing. Ani was constantly going on about different name brand items, from shoes to bags to cars, and judging people on their appearance, and while I can understand that this was a part of Ani's success-o-meter, for me it was exhausting! I don't think I've ever googled as many things for a book as I did for this one, and by about halfway through I gave up, simply dismissing whatever article of clothing Ani was describing as over the top expensive and leaving it at that. I'm just happy my life isn't so materialistic, I obviously wouldn't be able to handle it!
this book was okay - thought it had a good build and i appreciated that information was withheld from the reader for a time and slowly sprinkled in. i would have done the ending differently. but my main criticism is that there is no trigger warning anywhere to be found. you can 100% write about difficult, horrific topics, & i think in certain areas that is done well here (& in others, not. re: any of the discussion around eating disorders throughout the entire thing.) I am down for a ragged story with some tough moments, i am not down for no trigger warnings - even just at the top, a single page, this book contains description of (x) (i.e. - sexual assault, disordered eating). it does not give away the story and should be included.
also if this was going to be compared to gone girl we would need to see waaaay more crazy from Ani.
also if this was going to be compared to gone girl we would need to see waaaay more crazy from Ani.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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:
Complicated
dark
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I thought it was a pretty good book. I didn't realize that I had seen the movie when I started the book. But, I thought the movie wasn't that good and basically forgot everything so it felt fresh. The books main character is kind of insufferable, but she redeems herself in the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Misogyny, Rape
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
To be honest, this book is not what I thought it was going to be. Interestingly enough, I was hooked in the beginning due only to the writing style, but the story didn't really grab me until about the 4th or 5th chapter.
Near the halfway point, the huge "story defining" moment happens, and it fell from the clear blue sky for me. I didn't expect it in the least, but, again, the book wasn't what I thought it would be :-). I like the author's writing style, but I do not agree with comparison to Gone Girl.
I usually give up on a book if I'm not interested after the 2nd or 3rd chapter. I'm glad I didn't give up on this one.
Near the halfway point, the huge "story defining" moment happens, and it fell from the clear blue sky for me. I didn't expect it in the least, but, again, the book wasn't what I thought it would be :-). I like the author's writing style, but I do not agree with comparison to Gone Girl.
I usually give up on a book if I'm not interested after the 2nd or 3rd chapter. I'm glad I didn't give up on this one.
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I came across a question recently asking if folks judge a book based on whether they agree with characters’ choices, or by how well the book is written, or by how important a topic is. I only know how to judge it based on how I feel about reading it, and whether I’d recommend a friend read it. So it’s difficult to recommend something so hard to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mass/school shootings