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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I couldn't finish this book as I could not stand the main character. Her thoughts and behaviors were despicable to me and I found I did not want to be in that mindset over the course of reading the book. She is the epitome of the type of person I don't like to spend time with so why would I want to intentionally spend my precious time reading her thoughts??
I can't remember where I read about this - maybe Booklist. And it got all kinds of good blurbs elsewhere. So I put it on hold. In the meantime, it got several mediocre reviews from friends and patrons, but I had to read it anyway to see who was right. I'm going with the friends and patrons rather than the media on this one!
For the first half or so, it was on the way to a solid 1, but it eventually bumped up to a more solid 2. A lot of this is due to the unlikeable protagonist, which sometimes works in fiction, but only if the plot is sufficiently compelling (see, of course, [b:Gone Girl|21480930|Gone Girl|Gillian Flynn|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1432019852s/21480930.jpg|13306276]). Here, the unlikeable narrator combined with a plot that didn't pick up until about two thirds of the way through. Even then, it had one of the major red flags I don't really like in literature. I couldn't decide if I was satisfied with the ending or not, either. It seems like the subject matter lent itself to greater depths that were not plumbed, and a few loose threads of the plot remained strangely forgotten and unraveled. Still, it does leave you with a lot of food for thought. So not the worst book ever or one that I regret reading, but not one I'd really recommend either.
For the first half or so, it was on the way to a solid 1, but it eventually bumped up to a more solid 2. A lot of this is due to the unlikeable protagonist, which sometimes works in fiction, but only if the plot is sufficiently compelling (see, of course, [b:Gone Girl|21480930|Gone Girl|Gillian Flynn|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1432019852s/21480930.jpg|13306276]). Here, the unlikeable narrator combined with a plot that didn't pick up until about two thirds of the way through. Even then, it had one of the major red flags I don't really like in literature
Spoiler
namely, rape as a plot device, in this case combined with a school shooting too. And I couldn't quite decide it was tastefully and compassionately done or not
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Jessica Knoll has such an excellent way of writing. I greatly enjoy her focus on this like mainstream true crime fascination era we're currently in. That motif shapes not just this book but her next novel Bright Young Women which I found improves on the points made in this first novel.
Maybe I'll even put aside my dislike for Mila Kunis and watch the film.
Bought at a Charity Shop.
Maybe I'll even put aside my dislike for Mila Kunis and watch the film.
Bought at a Charity Shop.
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Absolutely love all her books for dark, complicated women facing the world
The Netflix movie was better than the book. The main character was much more likeable in the movie and the ending was better.
Update: Second read through of this one and I loved it even more. So good!!
Fantastic!! I don't feel like the writing was as good as Gone Girl, but the story kept me so interested that I did not want to put it down. Finished on lunch!!
Fantastic!! I don't feel like the writing was as good as Gone Girl, but the story kept me so interested that I did not want to put it down. Finished on lunch!!
This book was good, not great.
Covering both gang rape and a Columbine-esque school shooting in one book was too much; it came off as trying to hard to be topical/controversial.
My favorite part of the plot was the documentary film, which allowed us to really get to know Ani's character.
The writing keeps you engaged, wanting to know what happens next - think this would be a good addition to a summer-reading shelf.
Covering both gang rape and a Columbine-esque school shooting in one book was too much; it came off as trying to hard to be topical/controversial.
My favorite part of the plot was the documentary film, which allowed us to really get to know Ani's character.
The writing keeps you engaged, wanting to know what happens next - think this would be a good addition to a summer-reading shelf.
I'm interested to see if anyone else has read this and what are your thoughts if so. I picked this book up because it was trending, fully not knowing what I'd be reading. It started slow for me but then took a sudden and dramatic twist that seemingly came out of left field and I couldn't stop reading. I think it is ironic that the author is an editor for Cosmopolitan Magazine, seemingly the quintessential publication that objectifies women. I think Knoll is a good writer, I was able to picture the dialogue and scenes vividly in my head. I wonder if Knoll intended this to be a YA novel and then just went all rogue. This is a memorable story and sort of glazes of some issues. I found the lead characters to be despicable, but most of all the mother. Moral of the story is, be nice to everyone.
- Enjoyed the two timelines being told of Tiffany/Ani’s life and how they came together towards the end
- Multiple plot twists that were not predictable
- Trigger warning for lots of sensitive topics (sexual assault, abuse, school shooting)
- Multiple plot twists that were not predictable
- Trigger warning for lots of sensitive topics (sexual assault, abuse, school shooting)