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jo2424's review
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Minor: Child abuse
aoib's review
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book isn't my cup of tea.
The writing is wonderful, so it is clear how talented the author is. However, the theme of the story is… really an acquired taste. I generally try to remain open to characters with different views than mine and controversial subjects, especially when they are handled with such good writing and pacing, but at times this book felt just like a rant from a conservative politician or a Twitter incel.
The characters are completely terrible people, with troubling opinions about public conduct and what constitutes harassment. That some of this opinion comes from a woman is even more worrying.
There is a moment in which the main female character compares women to horses and another in which Quin - the definition of a nice man in a main character -, faced with a sexual harassment lawsuit, defines his conduct as an expression of the 'values of freedom and honesty about politeness'. This is just laughable.
'This is pleasure' is the first book I've read by the author, so I really can't say if it's her own opinion or if it's a situation similar to Lolita, in which we have to question the characters and what they represent.
Well, I reiterate what I mentioned above: this story isn't my cup of tea, but it's still a well-written book.
The writing is wonderful, so it is clear how talented the author is. However, the theme of the story is… really an acquired taste. I generally try to remain open to characters with different views than mine and controversial subjects, especially when they are handled with such good writing and pacing, but at times this book felt just like a rant from a conservative politician or a Twitter incel.
The characters are completely terrible people, with troubling opinions about public conduct and what constitutes harassment. That some of this opinion comes from a woman is even more worrying.
There is a moment in which the main female character compares women to horses and another in which Quin - the definition of a nice man in a main character -, faced with a sexual harassment lawsuit, defines his conduct as an expression of the 'values of freedom and honesty about politeness'. This is just laughable.
'This is pleasure' is the first book I've read by the author, so I really can't say if it's her own opinion or if it's a situation similar to Lolita, in which we have to question the characters and what they represent.
Well, I reiterate what I mentioned above: this story isn't my cup of tea, but it's still a well-written book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Child abuse
anafuentes's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
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
4.0
This is Pleasure by Mary Gaitskill tells the story of the friendship between Margot and Quin after Quin is accused of sexual misconduct by several women. Many of the women coming forward Quin has worked with throughout decades at a publishing house where he held a position of power over them. Quin fails to understand what he did wrong, while Margot struggles to understand how to feel while she vacillates between anger at Quin’s actions and the deep admiration she had long held for her friend.
For a short story, it really does pack a punch. The prose was enthralling and while the characters may be frustrating, it’s a hard story to put down regardless. What most draws me in is the conviction Quin holds that he’s blameless. He has undoubtedly hurt and coerced women, but he is certain everything will work out for him in the end. I parallel this to the many sexual harassment/assault claims that have come out over the years and how often times, there is a denial of these things occurring by the blamed party initially. I also think about how difficult it is to convict in these cases when they do happen. Disappointingly, Quin’s mentality around this seems to fit the norm, but it’s jarring being in the mind of someone like this. Meanwhile, Margot does not want to think any differently of her friend but she can also clearly see the behavior his accusers were pointing out, as she recalls similar moments occurring with her. She believes she stood up to him and that he has respected her ever since. Actually, Quin’s manipulation tactics were used on Margot as well, although after one of their first meetings they were less overtly sexual, and this seems to be why she’s still attached to him like some of the women in his life still are and how some of his accusers may have felt at some point.
The story doesn’t wrap up neatly and we don’t know what will occur, but being inside the psyche of these characters while they work through this situation was curious. Alongside them, we sort through the manipulations and self-delusions the characters have come to believe.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Minor: Child abuse
charlotte_burt123's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
tiffany_lishan's review against another edition
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Sexism
atsundarsingh's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-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
2.75
Not sure I got what was intended from this. Provocative but ultimately I didn’t like the execution.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Sexual harassment
aryaa_05's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
maya_irl's review
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
mold_munchr's review
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.0
disgusting and I never want to read it again. and yet, I'm so glad I picked this book up
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Suicide
yvieharris's review
dark
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
Half a star purely because it was beautifully written
Absolutely hated it. Maybe I’m too angry, but Margot was a sympathiser and I understand there are two sides to the story but alas, she did not hold him accountable and it made the book seem to !? maybe not condone, but it felt remorseful that finally women are standing up for themselves and society is losing gentlemen??
anyway, I hated it. luckily it was only 80 pages long, but I especially hated the positive outlook at the end, as if he could continue his life with no remorse or punishment for what he’d done?? idk maybe that’s just me & I’ve met multiple Quin’s in my life and maybe I’m too angry to understand any deeper hidden meanings in this book
Absolutely hated it. Maybe I’m too angry, but Margot was a sympathiser and I understand there are two sides to the story but alas, she did not hold him accountable and it made the book seem to !? maybe not condone, but it felt remorseful that finally women are standing up for themselves and society is losing gentlemen??
anyway, I hated it. luckily it was only 80 pages long, but I especially hated the positive outlook at the end, as if he could continue his life with no remorse or punishment for what he’d done?? idk maybe that’s just me & I’ve met multiple Quin’s in my life and maybe I’m too angry to understand any deeper hidden meanings in this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence