Scan barcode
liemannen's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Small Pleasures is about trying to seperate duty from pleasure, logic from emotion - and failing to do so when the heart wins over the head. The prose was quite enjoyable, and carried a sense of peeking into another persons intimate private life.
I would have rated it a clean 4/5, although i found myself rather unsatisfied with the ending.
After an eternity of will they won't they, a lesbian elopement, and the reveal that the "virgin birth" was the result of rape during drug-induced sleep... It ends with the love intrest dying in a train crash. After the heaps and heaps of misery the book piled up towards the end, I felt this was a lazy and unfulfilling write-off. Oh well.
I would have rated it a clean 4/5, although i found myself rather unsatisfied with the ending.
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, and Rape
esw's review
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
3.0
This is a lovely read for anyone in S.E London. Being familiar with the areas the characters visit really adds another layer to the enjoyment. It was the first I've felt so in tune with the characters in a book just on locality.
As for the plot, it's okay. Predictable in areas, but it shines best on Chamber's depiction of the titular Small Pleasures. While the characters may not be incredibly complex in areas, it makes up for it by them being genuinely sweet. It's a novel dealing in the sweetness of intimacy and learning to love.
Now for the ending.
The ending can make or break the book, and frankly it broke it for me in a 4 hour binge. It's both predictable and sudden and overall really unsatisfying when so many expectations have been built. In short, Jean can't catch a W. I feel the ending might have been stronger if it ended happier, even if the events of the ending still happened or were slightly altered. In addition, the truth of Gretchen's pregnancy felt easy to predict. I don't exactly know how it could have been done without feeling so obvious, but it was expected and didn't throw me through many loops. I did enjoy the reveal of Gretchen being a lesbian.
As for the plot, it's okay. Predictable in areas, but it shines best on Chamber's depiction of the titular Small Pleasures. While the characters may not be incredibly complex in areas, it makes up for it by them being genuinely sweet. It's a novel dealing in the sweetness of intimacy and learning to love.
Now for the ending.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abortion, Death of parent, Drug use, Infidelity, Rape, Cancer, and Death
betsygrace's review
dark
mysterious
relaxing
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? No
3.25
One woman claims she had a virgin birth. When a local journalist begins to investigate, she discovers things are more complex than they appear. Through a twisting web of secrets, the truth comes out and changes everything— with a twist at the end.
I feel like Gretchen is aspec. This book is dialogue heavy.
I feel like Gretchen is aspec. This book is dialogue heavy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Chronic illness, and Rape
Moderate: Infidelity, Medical content, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, and Sexual assault
Minor: Drug use
More...