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feuryously's review against another edition
4.0
This book is so frustrating in that I simultaneously want more of it but it’s also the perfect length.
This is also a ringer. The last time I read this was when it was released. I’m reading an 800 page book currently and wanted to do 5 books in January and knew I couldn’t finish Crescent City in time so I pulled this one out because it was short and sweet (well, bittersweet). Is that cheating? Maybe. But does it still count? Absolutely it does.
This is also a ringer. The last time I read this was when it was released. I’m reading an 800 page book currently and wanted to do 5 books in January and knew I couldn’t finish Crescent City in time so I pulled this one out because it was short and sweet (well, bittersweet). Is that cheating? Maybe. But does it still count? Absolutely it does.
theswordandthesea's review
4.0
Read it in a day. Engrossing portrait of a woman falling apart. Absolutely didn't predict the ending. Man.
dreamofbookspines's review
5.0
As Block ages, her books get scarier and less light, though the beauty in her writing remains strong. This is rawer somehow, with more sex scenes and violence. This was hard to put down, as I wanted to know more about Catt. Catt's an unreliable narrator who's both deeply appealing in her vulnerability/humanity and deeply repelling in her penchant for sleeping with people to avoid looking at herself. The mystery of the story (who's the killer? what's happening to the people in Catt's life? what's happening to Catt?) and the theme of death are well integrated into the book.
titania86's review
2.0
Catt and Bree are hairdressers in LA. They've been friends for a long time and been through alcoholism, recovery, and over a decade of sobriety together. Catt's husband Dash suddenly leaves her for a rich, young starlet. This along with the Hollywood Serial Killer murders that seem to be closer and closer to her are shattering her world. She seeks comfort in many men, but all of them turn out to be using her. She sees a pattern to the murders and thinks Bree might be next, but is she right or is she becoming unhinged from reality?
Beyond the Pale Motel is Francesca Lia Block's newest adult novel. It's a bit more sexy and dark than her teen work, but just as lyrically written. I loved how the horror theme extended to unexpected areas of the story. Catt's salon is called Head Hunter and her gym is called Body Farm. Her blog is called Love Monsters and she has monster labels (vampire, manticore, zombie, or goblin) for the types of men there are. The story centers around Catt who has it together. She's been going to AA for years and her relationship with her husband is solid as can be. Her family consists of those she has chosen: Dash, Bree, and her son Skyler. Everything is idyllic and happy right up until it all falls apart. It was hard to read Catt's life just disintegrate. She is a sensitive person who needs people desperately and wants to be a mother above all else. Her need for people translates into hypersexuality after her husband leaves her and she invites man after man into her bed to fill the emotional void. This doesn't work out since they turn out to be scumbags. These encounters don't help her initial pain from her breakup, create more pain, and send her spiraling out of control, ending her sobriety. She also consistently had a horrible view of herself, thinking she was unworthy, ugly, fat, etc. This is unfortunately confirmed in one way or another by virtually all those around her. Her journey from solid to shattered was well written, but heartbreaking and hypnotic to read.
I have a lot of problems with the book that infuriated me. First, the way Catt's "friends" treated her when she was down. She made one mistake and her best friend just completely cuts off all contact and removes her from her life after over a decade of friendship. One mistake. Really? That is a sucky and unsupportive friend. I also couldn't believe how she was treated by her AA sponsors. They either weren't available for her to talk to during a crisis or wouldn't even "waste time on her" if she didn't redo some of the steps of the program. They along with the entire book were super judgmental about her sexual activity. There's nothing wrong with finding solace in sex as long as it's consensual. It didn't turn out to be good for her at all, but it's a better way to cope than turning to drinking or drug use. There was no understanding from anyone really. The horror element didn't figure as largely as I would have liked. It was really an afterthought to all the stuff that was going on in Catt's life. That element came into play during the last few pages and ended very abruptly. It just wasn't satisfying and just rubbed salt in the wounds.
Beyond the Pale Motel is well written and evocative, but the horror element isn't major enough and the people populating Catt's life are awful, selfish, judgy people. The writing kept me interested, but my grievances outweighed the good things about the novel.
Beyond the Pale Motel is Francesca Lia Block's newest adult novel. It's a bit more sexy and dark than her teen work, but just as lyrically written. I loved how the horror theme extended to unexpected areas of the story. Catt's salon is called Head Hunter and her gym is called Body Farm. Her blog is called Love Monsters and she has monster labels (vampire, manticore, zombie, or goblin) for the types of men there are. The story centers around Catt who has it together. She's been going to AA for years and her relationship with her husband is solid as can be. Her family consists of those she has chosen: Dash, Bree, and her son Skyler. Everything is idyllic and happy right up until it all falls apart. It was hard to read Catt's life just disintegrate. She is a sensitive person who needs people desperately and wants to be a mother above all else. Her need for people translates into hypersexuality after her husband leaves her and she invites man after man into her bed to fill the emotional void. This doesn't work out since they turn out to be scumbags. These encounters don't help her initial pain from her breakup, create more pain, and send her spiraling out of control, ending her sobriety. She also consistently had a horrible view of herself, thinking she was unworthy, ugly, fat, etc. This is unfortunately confirmed in one way or another by virtually all those around her. Her journey from solid to shattered was well written, but heartbreaking and hypnotic to read.
I have a lot of problems with the book that infuriated me. First, the way Catt's "friends" treated her when she was down. She made one mistake and her best friend just completely cuts off all contact and removes her from her life after over a decade of friendship. One mistake. Really? That is a sucky and unsupportive friend. I also couldn't believe how she was treated by her AA sponsors. They either weren't available for her to talk to during a crisis or wouldn't even "waste time on her" if she didn't redo some of the steps of the program. They along with the entire book were super judgmental about her sexual activity. There's nothing wrong with finding solace in sex as long as it's consensual. It didn't turn out to be good for her at all, but it's a better way to cope than turning to drinking or drug use. There was no understanding from anyone really. The horror element didn't figure as largely as I would have liked. It was really an afterthought to all the stuff that was going on in Catt's life. That element came into play during the last few pages and ended very abruptly. It just wasn't satisfying and just rubbed salt in the wounds.
Beyond the Pale Motel is well written and evocative, but the horror element isn't major enough and the people populating Catt's life are awful, selfish, judgy people. The writing kept me interested, but my grievances outweighed the good things about the novel.
girrlfriday's review
2.0
I expected a lot more from this book based on the glowing lyrical reviews here. I think you have to be a Block fan to enjoy this book. I am a Stephen King fan, however, and I feel this attempt at horror was bungled.
The unreliable narrator was too unreliable, the suspense build up was good but ham handed, and the end was jarring- not just because of what happened, because 'here's everything explained and tied with a bow in the last few pages kthxbye!'
This read like a YA novel with a lot of sex, decent but not a great read.
The unreliable narrator was too unreliable, the suspense build up was good but ham handed, and the end was jarring- not just because of what happened, because 'here's everything explained and tied with a bow in the last few pages kthxbye!'
This read like a YA novel with a lot of sex, decent but not a great read.
thegratefulpoet's review against another edition
3.0
Read this book in under 5 hours. I have been a fan of Block for years, but I feel like this is one of her best for sure. Definitely recommend!
angelerin's review against another edition
4.0
I won this on the goodreads giveaway, review to come!
I started reading this today, and finished today. This was an easy read, and a fast read due to the great story. For the most part I really enjoyed it. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because by about a quarter of the way through the main character, Catt, was already on my last nerve. I understand she has low self esteem, among other issues, but she was too insecure and whiny to be like-able. However that is my only complaint. I really enjoyed that Beyond the Pale Motel was dark, psychological, and a bit creepy. I was not sure if this book would be for me or not and I was pleasantly surprised. I have never read this author before and I enjoyed her writing. I thought the Love Monster blog and names for all the types of men was hilarious!! Very good read, and I also have to say the ending was spectacular.
I started reading this today, and finished today. This was an easy read, and a fast read due to the great story. For the most part I really enjoyed it. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because by about a quarter of the way through the main character, Catt, was already on my last nerve. I understand she has low self esteem, among other issues, but she was too insecure and whiny to be like-able. However that is my only complaint. I really enjoyed that Beyond the Pale Motel was dark, psychological, and a bit creepy. I was not sure if this book would be for me or not and I was pleasantly surprised. I have never read this author before and I enjoyed her writing. I thought the Love Monster blog and names for all the types of men was hilarious!! Very good read, and I also have to say the ending was spectacular.
melaniekristy's review against another edition
4.0
I received an ARC copy from Ms. Block and couldn't wait to delve in. I tried to savor the words but I found myself reading until I couldn't. I finished it in twenty-four hours and want to go back to reread. If you're looking for a haunting, erotic adult novel thats both horror and psychological, this is the novel to read. Beyond The Pale Motel is reminiscent of Muhollond Drive. It's has addiction, a serial killer and broken love. It has hair stylists, best friends and baseball. It's a must read for any fan of FLB and a good introduction for someone who isn't familiar with her work.
angel_kiiss's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Compared to her other works, this one starts slow. It lacks the magical realism that usually accompanies Block’s writing, but there is still something captivating about the characters she creates.
It’s such a shocking story in the end, but the life of Catt is so grotesquely relatable that you can’t help but feel sad. I did tear up in the end.
Almost a murder mystery and so very compelling.
It’s such a shocking story in the end, but the life of Catt is so grotesquely relatable that you can’t help but feel sad. I did tear up in the end.
Almost a murder mystery and so very compelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Death, Grief, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Blood, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Murder, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Drug use, Eating disorder, Stalking, Vomit, and Violence
baxstarjonmarie's review against another edition
5.0
I've read several of Francesca Lia Block's books, but this wasn't exactly what I was expecting. This book was much more horror and much less magic than I am accustomed to with her work, and I will say honestly that I pretty much hated the ending. And yet, I absolutely loved the book.
Like all of Block's novels, the main character was inside my head... or I was inside hers. She was so well-written, so real, I had a hard time putting the book down. (I had to stop reading with only half a chapter left because I was getting carsick trying to devour the ending winding down a mountain road in the backseat, seriously.)
Intriguing, emotional, mysterious, heartwrenching and beautiful, like pretty much everything Block creates. Loved it. Can't wait to read the next book of hers I have queued up on my Kindle!
Like all of Block's novels, the main character was inside my head... or I was inside hers. She was so well-written, so real, I had a hard time putting the book down. (I had to stop reading with only half a chapter left because I was getting carsick trying to devour the ending winding down a mountain road in the backseat, seriously.)
Intriguing, emotional, mysterious, heartwrenching and beautiful, like pretty much everything Block creates. Loved it. Can't wait to read the next book of hers I have queued up on my Kindle!