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redwrapped's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The way You was written was fantastic: claustrophobic, highly detailed, and wholly original. I felt like I could be Joe Goldberg. It was that intense and that immersive. But the characters were so utterly unlikable they were not merely just unlikable; I fucking hated them. Which is probably what the author intended, and a reflection of how the narrator feels about the various characters, but honestly, I wanted to throw the book away because of how awful the characters are. Not so much for how they were written but what they did and said.
And why Beck was so "different" and "brave" and "interesting" is beyond me; she felt incredibly shallow and bratty, not a bad person (she's not a killer, for one thing) but she is fantastically stupid, and I don't understand how she's able to survive in New York without a job for 95% of the story, or how she got into university and writes the stories she writes, when it does sound as though her stories are mediocre and her work ethic is lacking. She doesn't spend time writing, or workshopping her writing, or working; her time is spent coddling her emotionally insecure friends, masturbating (supposedly, I don't really believe those parts), and tweeting. Why Joe is obsessed with her is past my comprehension, and unless it's just him being a dishonest, unreliable narrator, she really wasn't worth being stalked—and put on a pedestal for the length of a whole book!
The only reason I kept on was because of how the book was written, and I wanted to guess how much of the story was reality and how much was distorted fantasy. And the amount of fact versus fiction was never confirmed or truly alluded to at the end, so I guess I'll never know.
And why Beck was so "different" and "brave" and "interesting" is beyond me; she felt incredibly shallow and bratty, not a bad person (she's not a killer, for one thing) but she is fantastically stupid, and I don't understand how she's able to survive in New York without a job for 95% of the story, or how she got into university and writes the stories she writes, when it does sound as though her stories are mediocre and her work ethic is lacking. She doesn't spend time writing, or workshopping her writing, or working; her time is spent coddling her emotionally insecure friends, masturbating (supposedly, I don't really believe those parts), and tweeting. Why Joe is obsessed with her is past my comprehension, and unless it's just him being a dishonest, unreliable narrator, she really wasn't worth being stalked—and put on a pedestal for the length of a whole book!
The only reason I kept on was because of how the book was written, and I wanted to guess how much of the story was reality and how much was distorted fantasy. And the amount of fact versus fiction was never confirmed or truly alluded to at the end, so I guess I'll never know.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
kylantis's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I wanted to give 4 stars just because it was really interesting and unique to see this situation from this point of view, but overall I was left disappointed.
I was hoping for it to be a little darker/scarier, and I didn't like how well everything worked out for Joe throughout the book:It just didn't make sense for him to get away with the murders as well as he did, especially with Peach's. Who plans their suicide so carefully that they stuff their pockets with rocks to make sure no one finds your body? Nobody. Also, she thought she had a stalker, and Beck knew that. Beck would have at least been questioned since she was the last person with her and would've been a suspect, and the topic of the stalker would come up.
As for Beck's murder, it'd make sense for her seduced therapist to be the murderer, but you're telling me that nobody talked to her friends and that they didn't mention her boyfriend/fling of the past few months? It just didn't make sense for him to not even be questioned about his relationship with her.
I was hoping for it to be a little darker/scarier, and I didn't like how well everything worked out for Joe throughout the book:
As for Beck's murder, it'd make sense for her seduced therapist to be the murderer, but you're telling me that nobody talked to her friends and that they didn't mention her boyfriend/fling of the past few months? It just didn't make sense for him to not even be questioned about his relationship with her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Murder, Sexual content, and Stalking
Moderate: Confinement and Domestic abuse
Minor: Car accident
parishofer's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Violence, Sexual content, and Confinement
theheirlooms's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Murder, and Confinement
dorianlecter's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Stalking, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Car accident, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Medical content, Murder, and Suicide
nxclx's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'd watch bits of the show, but nothing concrete, so it was still a good read. The protagonist is creepy, and controlling, and the writing was amazing. I know Joe is toxic, but the writing made me want him to succeed, and then it slowly turned, yet still held it's charm. I immediately wanted to pick up Hidden Bodies.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Car accident, Confinement, and Torture
Minor: Suicide
tenten's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
i am actually shocked by how much i enjoyed this book. i started it randomly, but throughout my read i kept thinking, "damn, i wish i could write like this." Kepnes did such an amazing job being inside the mind of someone with so many issues, someone so delusional. i actually cracked up out loud at several of the moments in the book, especially ones when Joe got worried about the "weirdos" who might be able to look into Beck's curtain-less windows. like sir....you're the weirdo!!! up until the very end he really thought Beck was trynna be with him...it was laughable, truly. the whole book was honestly hilarious. i'm looking forward to reading the next one in the series, and watching the show!
one note – i'm sure this wasn't intentional, and it could also be because Joe is an unreliable narrator, but some of the depictions of Peach give me predatory lesbian vibes and i didn't love that.
one note – i'm sure this wasn't intentional, and it could also be because Joe is an unreliable narrator, but some of the depictions of Peach give me predatory lesbian vibes and i didn't love that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Body shaming, Confinement, Mental illness, and Misogyny
Minor: Homophobia and Suicidal thoughts
ellalafontant's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Confinement, Death, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Violence
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