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kitkat175's review against another edition
1.0
I don't know what was up with this book but oh my goodness, this book was interesting. I just did not like this book to be honest.
I don't know if it was the audiobook that I did not like or the actual book that I didn't like.
I also think it was Joe that I did not like at all because he was creepy I mean yeah he was a stalker, but even before all that he just gave me the creeps. I don't think that I will be continuing with the series, because this series just does not appeal to me. I will be giving this book to a little library.
I don't know if it was the audiobook that I did not like or the actual book that I didn't like.
I also think it was Joe that I did not like at all because he was creepy I mean yeah he was a stalker, but even before all that he just gave me the creeps. I don't think that I will be continuing with the series, because this series just does not appeal to me. I will be giving this book to a little library.
seekerxr's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
I did watch the first...two? Seasons of the show when it came out years ago so I did vaguely know what to expect when watching this but wow. WOW. However bad Joe was in the show he is ten times worse in the books.
From the very first page, the writing style of this book is just incredibly gripping. There is no easing you into this book's particular flavor of suspense and horror and revulsion; you're in the deep end from day one. You know exactly where this book is going, exactly how it's going to end, and all you can do is just watch uneasily as the bitter end grows closer and closer. The writing in this book is truly like nothing I've ever seen: first person from Joe's point of view yet also second person, as if his entire narration of the book is a story he is telling TO Beck. It's chilling and vicious and so incredibly unsettling you just can't look away.
Joe really is the worst sort of criminal and internal monologue tells you that clear as day. The worst part is he doesn't think he's bad, which is probably par for the course when it comes to people like him, but it still makes you a bit incredulous to read how he justifies the absolutely insane things he thinks about and does. The way he claims that Beck is the love of his life but half the time literally all he thinks and cares about is her body and when he'll next get to sleep with her.
That being said, I did have some problems with this book. It definitely shows its age at being early to mid-2010s literature with just a smattering of bigotry. I don't if the author put that in deliberately to show it was how Joe thought or if it was just a product of the attitudes at the time it was written. For me it was just on the border of too much sometimes, but never bad enough to stop reading the entire book.
I would say definitely do a bit more in-depth research on the trigger warnings before deciding to pick them up because the tags on Storygraph missed some important ones, but otherwise this book was pretty great. I won't be continuing the series, because having someone like Joe Goldberg as the main character and being in his head is a LOT, but I did enjoy this book!
From the very first page, the writing style of this book is just incredibly gripping. There is no easing you into this book's particular flavor of suspense and horror and revulsion; you're in the deep end from day one. You know exactly where this book is going, exactly how it's going to end, and all you can do is just watch uneasily as the bitter end grows closer and closer. The writing in this book is truly like nothing I've ever seen: first person from Joe's point of view yet also second person, as if his entire narration of the book is a story he is telling TO Beck. It's chilling and vicious and so incredibly unsettling you just can't look away.
Joe really is the worst sort of criminal and internal monologue tells you that clear as day. The worst part is he doesn't think he's bad, which is probably par for the course when it comes to people like him, but it still makes you a bit incredulous to read how he justifies the absolutely insane things he thinks about and does. The way he claims that Beck is the love of his life but half the time literally all he thinks and cares about is her body and when he'll next get to sleep with her.
That being said, I did have some problems with this book. It definitely shows its age at being early to mid-2010s literature with just a smattering of bigotry. I don't if the author put that in deliberately to show it was how Joe thought or if it was just a product of the attitudes at the time it was written. For me it was just on the border of too much sometimes, but never bad enough to stop reading the entire book.
I would say definitely do a bit more in-depth research on the trigger warnings before deciding to pick them up because the tags on Storygraph missed some important ones, but otherwise this book was pretty great. I won't be continuing the series, because having someone like Joe Goldberg as the main character and being in his head is a LOT, but I did enjoy this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Fatphobia, and Gaslighting
Minor: Homophobia
books_nooks_spooks's review against another edition
5.0
Joe Goldberg on the page is significantly more vile and disgusting than the romanticised antihero we see in the TV show. In fact, there are not many characters with redeemable qualities in this book which is perhaps one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much! Love to hate and all that. Not a lot actually happens in the story but it was still such a page turner - I was as just as obsessed as our main character and it was intriguing being inside his head. The author does a great job of making him just human enough that it’s plausible he would have relationships of any kind without giving him any endearing qualities and using disturbing inner dialogue to ensure the reader is well aware of exactly what type of person he is. In reality you never really know what anyone is thinking.
Do not read this is you are single and looking to date because it WILL make you paranoid and never want to trust anyone ever again!! If you are a fan of the show and have not read the book then you need to get on that toot sweet as the book is superior and far darker…..much more to my taste!
Do not read this is you are single and looking to date because it WILL make you paranoid and never want to trust anyone ever again!! If you are a fan of the show and have not read the book then you need to get on that toot sweet as the book is superior and far darker…..much more to my taste!
flamepea's review against another edition
3.0
What an absolutely compelling and chilling read. This book was paced perfectly and captured a psychopath’s POV so well it’s uncanny! The addition of second POV really added an extra level of eeriness. From one small visit to the bookstore Beck does not realise it will spiral into a toxic obsession. Joe manages to ‘plant’ himself into her live and controlling anything by any means to get his way. The way Joe justified crimes so easily was really interesting to read about. I also liked his witty comments and how his sentences of thought could escalate so quickly.
pirategirl121's review against another edition
5.0
A great book. Creepy and suspenseful. I very much disliked Beck (I found her annoying and bratty) but I still found myself rooting for her to figure out he was a crazy psycho.
kaylinfm's review against another edition
dark
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
4.0
Entire book was narrated by Penn Badgley in my head
pansy_ass's review against another edition
5.0
Probably the most chilling narrator I've ever had the pleasure of running into. This book is worth the read just solely based off of the main character's inner thought processes (though, trust me, there are plenty of other redeeming qualities about this 2014 novel).
youngthespian42's review against another edition
4.0
I watched the show first so I knew basically all the beats of the story but it was still thrilling to read again. Listening to Joe’s inner monologue is so sick and twisted. This book is also a lot funnier than the show which I enjoyed a lot. Highly recommend even if you’ve seen the show.
lyakimov's review against another edition
1.0
WHAT THE FUCK DID I JUST READ. oh my God. This was horrific. It was just so. bad. The main character’s narration was awful, it got worse and worse as the book went on, and by the end it was unreadable, and I skimmed it, just enough so I knew what was happening. The girl he’s obsessed with SUCKS and her narcissistic personality pissed me off to no end. The slut shaming in this book was so over-the-top and intense and INSANE, that I really couldn’t take it by the end. I am so glad I didn’t spend money on this book. I wish I never read this. I seriously need to read something else NOW to cleanse my palette. This is a warning: NEVER READ THIS BOOK.