Reviews

Oksana, Behave! by Maria Kuznetsova

sawyerbell's review against another edition

Meh.

obviouschild96's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

elignes's review

emotional funny hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

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

3.0

svspirium's review

5.0

this is the book that just got me back into reading! how lovely and unique and interesting. as the daughter of european immigrants this book definitely spoke to me, and i loved the writing style, but i can see where a lot of the negative reviews are coming from. kuznetsova is a fantastic wordsmith and i can’t wait to read more of her books!

bookishcori's review

dark funny reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Racism

Minor: War

ejmealer's review

3.0

While beautifully written, the blurb of the novel leads to an impression more of mischief and less of the story the novel actually told. Oksana is a young woman going through life trying to find her place but w/o realizing that emotions are what create senses of belonging. The antics she engages in are less impudence and more, simply, just life.

lillianreadsalot's review

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

nickidenicki's review against another edition

5.0

There was a rich tapestry of story and character development. This was the first time that I have ever read a book by a Ukrainian-American author and it will certainly not be the last. The story was woven masterfully and the characters all seemed so real and vibrant. My heart broke with Oksana on her journey from childhood to adulthood. 

danicres's review

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

Oksana and her family felt like real people with real flaws, I could be disappointed in them but still want the best for them

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, and Gaslighting

Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Pregnancy

toryhallelujah's review

3.0

Oksana was kind of a spoiled bitch. She didn't seem to care about the consequences of her actions and I had a hard time giving a shit about her. There was some humor in this book, but not enough to make up for the fact that I just didn't get what the point was supposed to be. No plot, really; just the growing-up of a third-culture kid into a selfish, useless English major.