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caroisreading's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Labeling this book as "a story about a woman obsessed" would be too much of a disservice to this incredible work, though I admit it's the hook that got me to pick it up in the first place.
It's a series of short, satisfying chapters documenting our protagonist's affair with a married man, her infatuation with the other woman he's also cheating with, and commentary on racism, capitalism, sexism binding it all together. Everything felt so personal, like thoughts ripped straight from my head -- my minority-complex inferiority to the white woman ideal, my inferiority to a man who doesn't want me but wants to use me, my desperation to belong to something built against me, my fertility as a weapon and as a release.
Sheena Patel's writing is so incredibly addicting, and while it mimics a kind of Gen Z tone, it's grounded with a raw hopelessness that I haven't felt from reading in a while.
You'll enjoy this is you want to read more themes on modern relationships, race and female perspectives.
It's a series of short, satisfying chapters documenting our protagonist's affair with a married man, her infatuation with the other woman he's also cheating with, and commentary on racism, capitalism, sexism binding it all together. Everything felt so personal, like thoughts ripped straight from my head -- my minority-complex inferiority to the white woman ideal, my inferiority to a man who doesn't want me but wants to use me, my desperation to belong to something built against me, my fertility as a weapon and as a release.
Sheena Patel's writing is so incredibly addicting, and while it mimics a kind of Gen Z tone, it's grounded with a raw hopelessness that I haven't felt from reading in a while.
You'll enjoy this is you want to read more themes on modern relationships, race and female perspectives.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Stalking
ewwa18's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Infidelity
Moderate: Racism and Stalking
bookwormteddy's review against another edition
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
1.75
i’m gonna be honest, i struggled with this book. like. i get it, right? comparing yourself to, feeling inferior to, and fighting for attention from seemingly mediocre, rich white people makes you crazy. been there, felt that! we get a lot of discussion of race dynamics, class, white feminism, performative allyship without really expanding on them in any meaningful way. these things are harmful, not because they’re by-products of oppressive systems but because they just? piss the narrator off?
there is very little plot, which typically doesn’t bother me, but i cared so little for the few characters we met that i found myself getting so frustrated with the narrator. she is so unlikeable that i never really felt bad for her. i found myself yelling, girl get off the floor!! go to therapy!! stop it!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexual content, and Stalking
Minor: Domestic abuse
nats_world23's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny and Stalking
nicilaui's review against another edition
dark
funny
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book is so multi-dimensional and yet so simply limited to one voice that I often had to re-read paragraphs to put everything into perspective. This novel is utterly honest with a macabre brutality in how a person can lose themselves in a toxic relationship while behaving toxic too. Patel has also incorporated an incredible amount of socio-critical approaches, such as racism, sexism and the fake nature of social media. The protagonist stays in those harmful structures even though she knows them inside out. Patel wrote this paradoxical mechanism in such a unique way that it makes this novel extraordinary. You also learn a lot about the creative industry and about art itself. There is no real structure to the often extremely short chapters. You should just go with the flow and not expect anything. This is not a usual reading experience causing why this book may not be for everyone. I personally didn’t like the ending so sadly no 5 stars. This has nothing to do with the quality of the book, it’s just a personal down grade.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Misogyny, Bullying, Gaslighting, Stalking, and Cultural appropriation
kaitisbooknook's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Patel had a lot of great ideas and really important things to say, but she didn’t effectively tell them through the narrative.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking and Xenophobia
lena04's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Infidelity, and Stalking
novi's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Some (a lot of?) reviewers said that the protagonist was unlikable and you disagree with her but then she said things that you really agree with, but in my perspective, that's a pious statement lol. So this book is kinda has 2 parts: one about this girl's life (her infidelity and obsession towards this man and this man's other mistress) and one about her (SHARP) thoughts on whiteness from her point of view as a POC. So you know which one you're supposed to agree with and which one you're not. But for me it's not as simple as that bc 1) both parts are interwoven: in structure of this book and in the mind of a complex character; 2) the protagonist was very aware of what she did (her cheating and obsession) were not healthy, it almost felt like what's written on this book is her reflection after everything already happened and now she's not doing all that anymore. So, idk. I sometimes relate to her obsession and posessiveness too, I think it's human and animalistic at the same time, which i feel for time to time but I don't always act on it. So. Sue me. So i think it makes this book feel raw, in that sense.
That aside, i love the writing. This book has basically no plot, but i enjoyed the journey. I underlined SO much. Her criticism about white supremacy, patriarchy, influencer and wellness culture were sharp, witty, and refreshing. Would love to read more from this author.
That aside, i love the writing. This book has basically no plot, but i enjoyed the journey. I underlined SO much. Her criticism about white supremacy, patriarchy, influencer and wellness culture were sharp, witty, and refreshing. Would love to read more from this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Stalking
annabella's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I originally tried this in audiobook format but couldn’t engage, this time in paperback I got into the words so easily and loved it from the beginning. I think physically I could understand the short ‘chapter’ format more and I really liked its disjointedness, its originality from a usual linear novel but instead a bit like snapshots or entries into this person’s life.
I found it hilarious and how unhinged this person was. I think because of my own experience it resonates and it’s so specific I was laughing out loud at points (reading reviews that felt deeply disturbed by this character and felt they were unlikeable is also interesting). The anonymity and the use of ‘I’ vs ‘i’ is really clever. I also really loved the bits of critique towards race and power dynamics. I felt some sympathy towards the deranged character in this world of harsh power and white supremacy that makes her behaviour a lot more complex than just her being a total weirdo creep. I think it was approached with sensitivity and empathy!
It’s 5 stars for me because it felt so original and nuanced and I think I’ll struggle to find a book like it.
I want to read this book again (doesn’t have to be for a while) and buy it too.
I found it hilarious and how unhinged this person was. I think because of my own experience it resonates and it’s so specific I was laughing out loud at points (reading reviews that felt deeply disturbed by this character and felt they were unlikeable is also interesting). The anonymity and the use of ‘I’ vs ‘i’ is really clever. I also really loved the bits of critique towards race and power dynamics. I felt some sympathy towards the deranged character in this world of harsh power and white supremacy that makes her behaviour a lot more complex than just her being a total weirdo creep. I think it was approached with sensitivity and empathy!
It’s 5 stars for me because it felt so original and nuanced and I think I’ll struggle to find a book like it.
I want to read this book again (doesn’t have to be for a while) and buy it too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Stalking
riahxyz's review against another edition
I don’t like single narrative books, and I wanted to give this a go because it sounds so interesting but I couldn’t get over it. Definitely not the books fault.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking