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backpackfullofbooks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
“Pain is closer to love than indifference right?”
~
A unnamed young woman is bored with life in her hometown but has no motivation to leave. She enters into a variety of sexual relationships, including one with a previously established couple. The only emotion she seems to feel for any of these people is need, she is manipulative in the extreme and is constantly searching for a novel sensation, she only really wants someone when she can’t have them.
As these relationships start to wind down and then disintegrate she commits to more and more self destructive behaviour.
~
So I read this one for a book club and it isn’t something I would have chosen by myself. Even with that said, I really didn’t enjoy reading it.
I thought from the description that it would explore polyamory in a way that shows how it can be both functional or dysfunctional (like all relationships). However this books characters are in a state of complete dysfunction, all the relationships are unhealthy and manipulative (often verging into abusive) and there seems to be no consent discussions at all, which I understand from the book club discussion is generally an important part of polyamory.
I may be skewed against this book as I don’t like reading about characters that are in self destruct mode, which the main character definitely is, and as the book is from her perspective I found it even harder to read. Maybe if this interests you you’ll like this book 🤷♀️
Wouldn’t have finished it without the book club.
~
I recommend this book if you like reading about true dysfunction and self destructive tendencies (I guess).
~
A unnamed young woman is bored with life in her hometown but has no motivation to leave. She enters into a variety of sexual relationships, including one with a previously established couple. The only emotion she seems to feel for any of these people is need, she is manipulative in the extreme and is constantly searching for a novel sensation, she only really wants someone when she can’t have them.
As these relationships start to wind down and then disintegrate she commits to more and more self destructive behaviour.
~
So I read this one for a book club and it isn’t something I would have chosen by myself. Even with that said, I really didn’t enjoy reading it.
I thought from the description that it would explore polyamory in a way that shows how it can be both functional or dysfunctional (like all relationships). However this books characters are in a state of complete dysfunction, all the relationships are unhealthy and manipulative (often verging into abusive) and there seems to be no consent discussions at all, which I understand from the book club discussion is generally an important part of polyamory.
I may be skewed against this book as I don’t like reading about characters that are in self destruct mode, which the main character definitely is, and as the book is from her perspective I found it even harder to read. Maybe if this interests you you’ll like this book 🤷♀️
Wouldn’t have finished it without the book club.
~
I recommend this book if you like reading about true dysfunction and self destructive tendencies (I guess).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Drug use, Drug abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Addiction, Self harm, and Violence
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