Reviews with content warning for Cancer - Boy Parts

A dark and gritty read which at parts is genuinely horrifying but is equally painfully honest and raw. This book tackles uncomfortable, disturbing, and explicit topics that aren't for everyone, and makes it something you can't read to enjoy. But just because it isn't a friendly book, doesn't mean it shouldn't be read. It makes you think, and makes you angry, and makes you more willing to criticise.

The protagonist, Irina, whose perspective narrates this story is deeply unlikeable and is not redeemable in any capacity. She is the epitome of a female manipulator, exploitative, narcissistic, violent, and completely incapable of feeling or exhibiting remorse for her actions. And yet the way in which her struggles and reactions engage with the issues of consent, gender norms, and traditional power imbalances mean that the dissection of the social discourse around such topics is that much more brutally tangible. The reader is uncomfortable throughout reading this but it is one of those books that proceeds to nag at you for ages after you finish it.

However, the ending was very frustrating. it feels like everything in the book sort of slots into place and you begin to, in a warped way, understand why Irina is the way she is. and you start to resonate with her pain more while being even more disgusted with her actions. and then it just...ends?

Content Warnings

tysuckz's review against another edition

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dark funny tense slow-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? Yes

4.25

Irina is such a despicable person, but you really can't help but love her. She's funny but she's so cruel and toxic, and the way it's written (especially from her perspective) helps to provoke a empathy for her, which is odd considering how hateful she is. It feels so wrong to like such a horrible person.

I loved the way was written and cracked it out in just over a day of buying it, having said that, the only reason I didn't give it a 5 was the end felt so flat? Almost as if it lost its sense of direction and was cut off in a quick and easy way. I did recently read a review though, that said Clark had initially planned this to be a short story so it makes sense I suppose that the ending isn't as thought out otherwise (as they said too).

Nevertheless, one of my faves 😁😁

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penelopereads's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

No clue how to rate this book. I hated it but also didn’t. It was an extremely uncomfortable experience. I literally grimaced my way through it.

I’m trying not to give spoilers but I suppose there are MILD SPOILERS below. These are more notes for myself to help me work through how I feel about this book.

Eddie 💔

Bit Dolly/Emma Jane esque. Didn’t like that. Don’t appreciate that lifestyle. Main character is intolerable (but that’s the point.)

Did appreciate the flip of the usual predatory/violent/dangerous/ruthless and detached narrative.

Trauma? Mental health?

Enjoyed the did she/didn’t she?

Was impressed by what seemed like a very sudden/surprising shift about 2/3 through, which in retrospect was actually hinted at.

The use of the name, the cat and the bell (Schrödinger, much?) were clever and subtle but not too subtle.

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