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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
Cole is "one of the good guys" from the title, except that he's good from his own POV. The first half follows his life after his wife leaves him. He escapes to the countryside, where he falls for another resident on the island, an artist named Lennie. Things erupt when two women who are staging a walk to demonstrate how women must live in this world disappear. Did Cole have anything to do with their disappearance?
The book is primarily about the relationship between men and women, and how women live in fear (not walking down dark streets, wary of men who approach them, feeling the need to appease in fear of an angry man). The second half is told in various ways, from his ex-wife's POV, from Lennie's work, Twitter, Reddit, news shows, etc.
The message of the book is strong, though a bit heavy handed. Repetition made it a little slow to read. However, this was a creative way to handle the subject, and overall I enjoyed it.
The book is primarily about the relationship between men and women, and how women live in fear (not walking down dark streets, wary of men who approach them, feeling the need to appease in fear of an angry man). The second half is told in various ways, from his ex-wife's POV, from Lennie's work, Twitter, Reddit, news shows, etc.
The message of the book is strong, though a bit heavy handed. Repetition made it a little slow to read. However, this was a creative way to handle the subject, and overall I enjoyed it.
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Infertility, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Genuinely don’t know how I really feel right now. I’m confused where the author stands on the overall topic of the story, which is probably why I don’t know what the point of it all was.
Reading from Cole’s perspective in the beginning was ROUGH — and that was probably the idea. His inner monologue was so “white male red-pilled podcast definitely a true feminist” that I was struggling to get through his section. But once I got to Mel’s section, I realized I was supposed to hate him. Mel’s perspective was my favorite part of the book, and also painful to read, but only because I felt so bad for her. I gotta say I’m not a fan of the new book trend of writing out Tweets, or emails, or Reddit strands, which was the entire second half of the book.
Overall, it was simply an okay read. Very quick, very sharp. Strong ideals told from both sides throughout the whole thing.
What I hate about the two-sided approach is that neither side is ever compassionate, nor do they admit that both narratives have some truth. They each have a small part of the bigger picture. As someone who tends to fall on the middle ground for most arguments, I was reminded that extremism rarely works, and is exhausting to consume.
Reading from Cole’s perspective in the beginning was ROUGH — and that was probably the idea. His inner monologue was so “white male red-pilled podcast definitely a true feminist” that I was struggling to get through his section. But once I got to Mel’s section, I realized I was supposed to hate him. Mel’s perspective was my favorite part of the book, and also painful to read, but only because I felt so bad for her. I gotta say I’m not a fan of the new book trend of writing out Tweets, or emails, or Reddit strands, which was the entire second half of the book.
Overall, it was simply an okay read. Very quick, very sharp. Strong ideals told from both sides throughout the whole thing.
What I hate about the two-sided approach is that neither side is ever compassionate, nor do they admit that both narratives have some truth. They each have a small part of the bigger picture. As someone who tends to fall on the middle ground for most arguments, I was reminded that extremism rarely works, and is exhausting to consume.
Jaw-dropping. I remember reading this when my reading speed was 200 WPM, so it took me all night to read. I stayed up anyway. What a funny, insightful, blood-curdling book. The twist of the loving, doting boyfriend's rape kink matching his criminal past? Great commentary on how men's opinion of women is shaped by our sexual value to them.
The prose is solid, too. I believed in the characters and their arcs, even (maybe especially) if I didn't like them. I genuinely feared for the female MC during *that* scene. The setting of a quiet, seaside town was perfect. I loved the multiple perspectives. PLEASE read this book.
The prose is solid, too. I believed in the characters and their arcs, even (maybe especially) if I didn't like them. I genuinely feared for the female MC during *that* scene. The setting of a quiet, seaside town was perfect. I loved the multiple perspectives. PLEASE read this book.
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense