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parkingvalidator's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
The cover of this novel truly depicts Frances’ character and
I feel dizzy, as though the world has turned upside down; but I’m the one who’s been standing on my head, mistaking the sky for the ground. Not wanting to believe what my body, exhausted, already knows.
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Pedophilia
Minor: Homophobia
lucyekh's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Gaslighting
aislingreadssomebooks's review
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Pedophilia, and Rape
tesslw's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I don’t want to delve too far into the plot but LaFarge does an incredible job at creating a creeping, insidious sense of discomfort that slowly dials up the tension until you realise your skin is crawling. The way that our image and understanding of Paul gradually builds up as we meet more of his friends and acquaintances and start to see cracks and inconsistencies in the stories he has told is chillingly effective. Frances’ naivety and palpable vulnerabilities left me wanting to shake her on occasion but that just added to the agitation of reading this.
This is a story of manipulation, passivity, gaslighting and powerplay, and also poses some interesting questions around silence and compliance, as well as how we perceive and navigate shame. Discovering that this book is also loosely inspired by the artist, Paul Gaugin certainly added an extra layer of context to this read as well.
I really enjoyed the audiobook for this - and I definitely plan on picking up whatever Daisy Lafarge puts out next!
Moderate: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
stasiana's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Pedophilia and Gaslighting
anxiousbookclub's review against another edition
4.75
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship
momentsofmine's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cultural appropriation, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship