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rebeshelton's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
"Ripe" is one of those books that hits you hard and leaves a mark. It's a journey into the dark heart of Silicon Valley through Cassie's eyes, a place where dreams and nightmares walk hand in hand. The story is heavy, packed with despair and anxiety, perfectly capturing the soul-sucking essence of a cutthroat startup culture. It's depressing, yes, but that's the point, and it does a stellar job at it.
The magical realism of the black hole following Cassie is nothing short of poetic. It's a unique twist that adds depth to her character and visually represents the mental toll of her experiences. This black hole is more than just a plot device; it's a silent, ever-present character that mirrors Cassie's internal turmoil.
I have mixed feelings about the portrayal of open relationships in the book. The whole 'don't fall in love' rule felt a bit cliché and unrealistic. But then again, maybe that's part of the commentary on the hopelessness and superficiality of the world Cassie navigates.
The ending, though? Brilliantly ambiguous. It leaves you hanging, pondering, and that's the beauty of it. It's a reflection of life itself - messy, uncertain, and open to interpretation.
3.5 stars for a journey that's as unsettling as it is captivating.
The magical realism of the black hole following Cassie is nothing short of poetic. It's a unique twist that adds depth to her character and visually represents the mental toll of her experiences. This black hole is more than just a plot device; it's a silent, ever-present character that mirrors Cassie's internal turmoil.
I have mixed feelings about the portrayal of open relationships in the book. The whole 'don't fall in love' rule felt a bit cliché and unrealistic. But then again, maybe that's part of the commentary on the hopelessness and superficiality of the world Cassie navigates.
The ending, though? Brilliantly ambiguous. It leaves you hanging, pondering, and that's the beauty of it. It's a reflection of life itself - messy, uncertain, and open to interpretation.
3.5 stars for a journey that's as unsettling as it is captivating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Abortion
conspiracy's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
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: Suicide and Drug use
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Abortion, and Panic attacks/disorders
annagerman's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
An exploration of life under late capitalism. A quintessentially millennial novel, about mental health, dating and love, friendship and familial ties, social and financial inequality, disillusionment from the "dream job", and corporate greed.
This story manages to explore so many different aspects and difficulties of modern life without being shallow, in a nuanced sensitive way.
I loved the writing, it was wry and sharp yet poignant. The use of magical realism was done just right, reflecting the complexities of the MC's inner-monologue. The structure of the chapters was also interesting.
I really felt for Cassie. Her views were definitely warped by her mental state, but I still found myself relating to many of her observations. The descriptions of depression and anxiety, and even suicidal indentations, were done particularly well. They are complex and subtle, yet emotionally charged and unsettling.
Verdict - 4.5\5 black holes.
A compelling, complex and absorbing read, tackling major issues, with a touch of magical realism and dark humor.
This story manages to explore so many different aspects and difficulties of modern life without being shallow, in a nuanced sensitive way.
I loved the writing, it was wry and sharp yet poignant. The use of magical realism was done just right, reflecting the complexities of the MC's inner-monologue. The structure of the chapters was also interesting.
I really felt for Cassie. Her views were definitely warped by her mental state, but I still found myself relating to many of her observations. The descriptions of depression and anxiety, and even suicidal indentations, were done particularly well. They are complex and subtle, yet emotionally charged and unsettling.
Verdict - 4.5\5 black holes.
A compelling, complex and absorbing read, tackling major issues, with a touch of magical realism and dark humor.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Abortion, Pandemic/Epidemic, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Medical content and Suicide
keepinitcourtney's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
No idea what the hell I just read but I loved it. A chaotic and painful commentary on late-stage capitalism and the ugly it brings out in all of us. Phenomenally written with characters that resemble almost caricatures of reality. Amazing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Abortion
hifrench's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, Blood, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
erachelc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Mental illness
Minor: Abortion
theforest's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion
Minor: Emotional abuse and Addiction
tajosima's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Chapter 21: I knew I had to buy this book.
The way I feel about this book is the way I felt about The Bell Jar when I read it when I was younger. Now I’m older and I have Ripe to describe how i feel
The way I feel about this book is the way I felt about The Bell Jar when I read it when I was younger. Now I’m older and I have Ripe to describe how i feel
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Pregnancy, Pandemic/Epidemic, Excrement, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Classism, Blood, Abortion, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Vomit, Drug use, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infertility, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Racism
melanieavreuter's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Gut wrenching. We follow Cassie through her life as a tech-worker in San Francisco where the ends of the socioeconomic spectrum collide.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion
brotestantethic's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Really, really frustrating. I wanted so badly to like this book given all I’d heard about it. The narrator is completely devoid of a personality, besides a superiority complex about her inability to be brainwashed. She likens everyone around her as “believers” with no purpose besides the work they do. The narrator critiques her place in capitalism without evaluating her positionality as a white woman making six figures, and even goes so far as to complain about unhoused people.
What I was hoping to enjoy about this book are the metaphors, but they are written in such a poor and clunky way that they lose meaning. Pomegranates and black holes are both obvious and abundant across every page, without nuance.
What I was hoping to enjoy about this book are the metaphors, but they are written in such a poor and clunky way that they lose meaning. Pomegranates and black holes are both obvious and abundant across every page, without nuance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion and Suicide