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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
This book was like a slow-motion train wreck. I hated every minute of it, yet I couldn’t look away. This book was creepy and crass, but I’m bad at DNFs, so I persisted. After I read the final page, I closed the book and said out loud, “Phew, I’m glad that’s over.”
If ranked only for whether this is a captivating read, it probably deserves five stars. It was very well drawn and Joe's voice is believable if also unbelievable if also all too believable if any of that makes sense. By the end, of course, it's pretty predictable, but still compulsively listenable because there are moments at which I simply barked with laughter. And the moments are relatively frequent for something so... so... grim? Creepy? Crank up your darkest sense of humor and read on.
This was honestly much better than I initially anticipated. The author's ability to create such a horrifying character that is also charming enough to have you rooting for him half the time was amazing!
I also really enjoyed that the whole book was from Joe's perspective. It made the book more unique than others I had read about creepy, obsessive characters.
The amount of references to books, movies, and other forms of entertainment was really fun too. I enjoyed how many of those the author was able to put in there without it feeling weird and forced.
Overall, definitely an exciting and gripping story that had me on the edge of my seat and ready for the sequel.
I also really enjoyed that the whole book was from Joe's perspective. It made the book more unique than others I had read about creepy, obsessive characters.
The amount of references to books, movies, and other forms of entertainment was really fun too. I enjoyed how many of those the author was able to put in there without it feeling weird and forced.
Overall, definitely an exciting and gripping story that had me on the edge of my seat and ready for the sequel.
You is disturbing and twisted, but definitely a compelling read. I felt like the ending was predictable, almost cliched, but otherwise, this is definitely an original, enjoyable book.
Not my favorite
I don’t even really know what to say. This could have been an amazing book if the author left some of the explicit parts out and spruced up the writing style. I enjoyed how creepy some parts were, but other parts seemed redundant and surface level. Don’t know that I’ll pick up the second book.
Edit: I did pick up the second book. I enjoyed it a bit more.
I don’t even really know what to say. This could have been an amazing book if the author left some of the explicit parts out and spruced up the writing style. I enjoyed how creepy some parts were, but other parts seemed redundant and surface level. Don’t know that I’ll pick up the second book.
Edit: I did pick up the second book. I enjoyed it a bit more.
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
tense
medium-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
4.5/5 stars
What is it about messed up characters that make the most interesting stories?
What is it about messed up characters that make the most interesting stories?
I have lot to say about this one. I'd read the first chapter of "You" several months ago, but didn't necessarily like the writing style so much. I returned to it after receiving a copy from a friend who shares a book club with me. I went through that first chapter (cutesypoo second person narration and all) and settled into a good book-reading groove. Joe, the *protagonist* of "You" is undeniably interesting, compelling to learn about, but some of the other supporting characters are given minimal characterization---Benji, the arrogant club soda heir who is a minor obstacle in Joe's pursuit of Beck seems like a wan copy of the "The Talented Mr. Ripley"('s) oafish Freddie Miles. I'd have liked a bit more time with other romantic rivals Peach and "Dr. Nicky" and Beck's friends Lynn and Chana, two characters never meet except through her spied-on correspondence with Beck. Beck, the object of Joe's obsession receives quite a bit of emotional detail which I appreciated. It's all the sadder to see her departure at the end of the first novel (I've not read the sequel at this time) and YOU manages to seem both overly long---probably 40 pages could have been edited AND ended abruptly. Still planning to check out "Hidden Bodies" so these are my first impressions after reading "You"...
I mainly wanted to read this because I kept seeing the trailer for the new TV show that was coming out and it looked so good. For a book about a stalker I found this pretty dull and felt like it kept repeating. Also the author kept using the word YOU which was rather annoying after awhile.
I wanted this to be a 5 star so much! It had a lot of lead up and I was hoping for a more grandiose ending, but even without that, it's still a 4 star. This book about a stalker from his own POV was very intriguing. He's a terrible person and funny and just so strange. I highly recommend the audiobook version of this - the demented thoughts that come to life while being read was quite enjoyable.