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canderssss's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
5.0
I personally loved this, I feel like it was hard to remember that it was a book of a book essentially but I def feel like it got the tumblr vibes down pat
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Bullying, Toxic friendship, Alcoholism, Death, and Mass/school shootings
lus's review
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mass/school shootings, Torture, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Body shaming, and Bullying
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Suicide
katarinabee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Pedophilia, Mass/school shootings, Violence, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Death, Murder, Mental illness, and Child death
Moderate: Classism, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Fatphobia, Self harm, Suicide, Animal cruelty, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Bullying, and Rape
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
What a fascinating satirical novel that provides scathing commentary on true crime fixations, and "mean girl" culture. I also recognize the irony that I am now listening to the Crime Junkie podcast as I write this review. I'm also trash, and also part of the problem that Eliza Clark's novel comments on.
This book is actually a book within a book, which was wildly entertaining (and as I write "entertaining," I'm like 'omg, AGAIN, YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM BRITTANY!' but you know... at least I'm self aware I guess *cries at how annoying self is*). The book within the book is a true crime novel by journalist Alec Z. Carelli, who interviewed the suspects of a murder, and did extensive research about the murder. The murder happened about a decade ago as of the time that the book publishes, and Carelli believes the story was begging to be told! There is also a disclaimer at the very beginning of the book which notes that it came to light that Carelli fabricated much of what interviewees actually said, and facts were glamorized and polished in the final edit. That's how you start the book, wondering what was true and to what extent these interviewees are telling the truth too. It's a wild ride.
We receive perspectives from the three young women accused of the crime, who the victim Joan named before she died. The girls are from a northern seaside town, Crow-on-Sea, where class disparities left unfettered only heightened the cruelty and egos of these teenagers. Eliza Clark comes for the 2010s Tumblr honeys and takes no prisoners with the authentic portrayal of the deep dive into online spaces like Tumblr; we were all read for filth in this commentary on the internet culture when it comes to fandoms, fixations, and how we could essentially be complicit in such unrelenting ugliness. This was the era of Bella Swan, of notoriously shouting we were "not like other girls," and these three murder suspects were such delectable characterizations and slices of that. They represented the dangers of when internalized misogyny can become emotionally and physically violent. Most notably, the way their stories all differ and how they all point to the other as the true ringleader is terrifying and unsettling.
Ultimately, this made me uncomfortable, because that's how satirical litfic is supposed to make you feel! You are supposed to wince, and question your contribution to a certain darker part of larger culture. I certainly did! Anyway, I read this from a rec from my friend @maddysbookopinions for my #12Friends12Books 2024 reading challenge, and I'm really glad I did, even if I oscillated between anger, guilt, and horror for the characters; and admiration for Clark.
What a fascinating satirical novel that provides scathing commentary on true crime fixations, and "mean girl" culture. I also recognize the irony that I am now listening to the Crime Junkie podcast as I write this review. I'm also trash, and also part of the problem that Eliza Clark's novel comments on.
This book is actually a book within a book, which was wildly entertaining (and as I write "entertaining," I'm like 'omg, AGAIN, YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM BRITTANY!' but you know... at least I'm self aware I guess *cries at how annoying self is*). The book within the book is a true crime novel by journalist Alec Z. Carelli, who interviewed the suspects of a murder, and did extensive research about the murder. The murder happened about a decade ago as of the time that the book publishes, and Carelli believes the story was begging to be told! There is also a disclaimer at the very beginning of the book which notes that it came to light that Carelli fabricated much of what interviewees actually said, and facts were glamorized and polished in the final edit. That's how you start the book, wondering what was true and to what extent these interviewees are telling the truth too. It's a wild ride.
We receive perspectives from the three young women accused of the crime, who the victim Joan named before she died. The girls are from a northern seaside town, Crow-on-Sea, where class disparities left unfettered only heightened the cruelty and egos of these teenagers. Eliza Clark comes for the 2010s Tumblr honeys and takes no prisoners with the authentic portrayal of the deep dive into online spaces like Tumblr; we were all read for filth in this commentary on the internet culture when it comes to fandoms, fixations, and how we could essentially be complicit in such unrelenting ugliness. This was the era of Bella Swan, of notoriously shouting we were "not like other girls," and these three murder suspects were such delectable characterizations and slices of that. They represented the dangers of when internalized misogyny can become emotionally and physically violent. Most notably, the way their stories all differ and how they all point to the other as the true ringleader is terrifying and unsettling.
Ultimately, this made me uncomfortable, because that's how satirical litfic is supposed to make you feel! You are supposed to wince, and question your contribution to a certain darker part of larger culture. I certainly did! Anyway, I read this from a rec from my friend @maddysbookopinions for my #12Friends12Books 2024 reading challenge, and I'm really glad I did, even if I oscillated between anger, guilt, and horror for the characters; and admiration for Clark.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Bullying, Toxic friendship, Murder, and Torture
Moderate: Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Suicide
moa's review against another edition
dark
reflective
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mass/school shootings, Fire/Fire injury, Child abuse, Death, Kidnapping, Body horror, Gore, Physical abuse, Murder, Child death, and Bullying
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Rape
rzh's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
floored
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Bullying, Toxic friendship, Murder, Death, Torture, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Mass/school shootings, Grief, Sexual assault, and Homophobia
sidekicksam's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
4.25
A girl has been set on fire by three school friends, resulting in her death. Almost ten years after the fact, after the rise of the true crime podcast, a journalist is diving into the story by interviewing relatives and friends of the victim and the perpetrators. The mystery surrounding Joan's death and the obscurity of the case due to the media's preoccupation with the Brexit Referendum at the time of her death makes it an interesting case to investigate. But how much of the truth does he uncover?
I buddy-read this with Vera, and damn, did it make for some interesting discussion!
An intensely slow burn, this book takes its sweet time uncovering all the details.
In terms of creating suspense and intrigue, Eliza Clark does a masterful job. The book is definitely a page-turner, but
It is an excellent work of criticism on the fanaticism about true crime stories, and how the families of both victims and perpetrators are exploited for the sake of sensational stories. The insensitivity of the journalists and, even worse, the podcasters was portrayed so well.
But it is also an account of obsessions, internet fandoms, teenage loneliness, social media as a breeding ground for radicalization, and the oppressive feel of living and aging in a small town.
I loved this, and am very curious to read more by Eliza Clark.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Bullying, and Mass/school shootings
sandysmith's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
3.25
Dark, compelling narrative, which at times was difficult to read. Based on a story of 5 teenagers, 3 of whom torture and kill the 4th girl and the 5th girl falsely accused of being involved. It is also about the unreliable crocked narrator journalist who interviews those involved, researching the Internet, blogs, and fandoms writing about the murder, some of the writing factual, other parts a work of fiction. It was uncomfortable for me to read, which makes the rating very hard, as the book is so well written. It also made me consider the way in which things are reported, so I'm more likely to stick to fiction rather than glorified true crime reads.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Torture, and Bullying
Moderate: Child death, Suicide, Violence, Sexual assault, and Child abuse
e11en's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Toxic friendship, Child death, Gun violence, Bullying, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Alcohol, Drug use, Incest, and Suicide
Minor: Fatphobia, Ableism, and Homophobia
isabelromero's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Very unique twist to horror/crime/ true-crime scene. Love the unreliable narrator. A lottttt of trigger warnings…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Torture, Body shaming, Mass/school shootings, Murder, and Vomit
Moderate: Sexual assault