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michaelion's review against another edition
tense
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
2.0
Years ago I saw this book in an article that I don't remember the name of, just some list of books to read, don't remember what website either but it was probably some shit like Buzzfeed. If I find what the news source was I swear to the Gods I am NEVER reading an article by them again.
I can't even say it's painfully white more like it's absurdly white. Like I know white people are a different breed but of all the sectors and factons of white folks I've seen I have never encountered this sort of oddity. An absolute strangness. I mean this with the utmost seriousness when I say weirdo behavior.
The writing also isn't all that exciting or riveting. It reads like a debut novel for sure. It didn't grip my attention for very long. The best parts were the gay parts and even those were off.
If you like unreloable narrators (derogatory) and toxic whiteness (EXTREMELY derogatory), this book is for you.
I can't even say it's painfully white more like it's absurdly white. Like I know white people are a different breed but of all the sectors and factons of white folks I've seen I have never encountered this sort of oddity. An absolute strangness. I mean this with the utmost seriousness when I say weirdo behavior.
The writing also isn't all that exciting or riveting. It reads like a debut novel for sure. It didn't grip my attention for very long. The best parts were the gay parts and even those were off.
If you like unreloable narrators (derogatory) and toxic whiteness (EXTREMELY derogatory), this book is for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Antisemitism, Ableism, Pedophilia, Fatphobia, Racism, Child abuse, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, and Abandonment
Minor: Incest
I should disclaim that there's only one antisemitic moment. A character is described a "Jewish looking" instead of, I don't know, describing the character. Also her name is Rachel so double whammy. I also tagged racism because at one point she says Rhodesia and not South African so that's gotta stem from something. Incest is tag because leave it to a friend of Lena Dunham to write a romance between two characters most people perceive as mother and daughter. (I only know she's friends with Lena Dunham because she thanks her in the acknowledgements.)grannycat's review
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
0.5
Honestly, this book made me feel sick. Take the content warnings seriously - it depicts some very disturbing sexual relationships. One such relationship is between a man in his late 60s and a 16 year old girl, described in explicit detail and never once portrayed as something harmful. In fact, the young girl seems to exist only as a romantic rival for the older female protagonist. The protagonist has detailed sexual fantasies about becoming various men and raping the much younger woman who lives with her. One of these men is the girl’s own father. All of this is glossed over and just used as character development for the protagonist (who doesn’t develop meaningfully anyway). I really wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone. It has its sweet moments, but most of it is weird and fucked up and not worth anyone’s time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual violence, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Medical content, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, and Incest
Moderate: Blood, Body shaming, Child death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Sexism, and Violence
Minor: Vomit, Self harm, and Antisemitism
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