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madelinedalton's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
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
4.0
Read the content warnings before you read this book!
Overall, I really liked this book. It definitely appeals to a niche audience. If you like Sally Rooney, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, or Phoebe Bridgers, you’ll likely love this book. The writing style is very dry and a little detached, and Crimp doesn’t use quotation marks. If characters who are so flawed that they make you want to throw your book at the wall, dry writing, and literary fiction are your thing, you’ll like this. If not, skip this one.
I also recommend this to performers—Imogen Crimp gave the most accurate depiction of conservatory life I have ever read. While I went to school for musical theatre (not opera), I resonated with a lot of her journey. The depictions of imposter syndrome and the post-performance high were particularly relatable.
If this book’s premise is appealing but you want a more charismatic writing voice and a diverse cast of characters, I highly recommend Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams instead!
Overall, I really liked this book. It definitely appeals to a niche audience. If you like Sally Rooney, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, or Phoebe Bridgers, you’ll likely love this book. The writing style is very dry and a little detached, and Crimp doesn’t use quotation marks. If characters who are so flawed that they make you want to throw your book at the wall, dry writing, and literary fiction are your thing, you’ll like this. If not, skip this one.
I also recommend this to performers—Imogen Crimp gave the most accurate depiction of conservatory life I have ever read. While I went to school for musical theatre (not opera), I resonated with a lot of her journey. The depictions of imposter syndrome and the post-performance high were particularly relatable.
If this book’s premise is appealing but you want a more charismatic writing voice and a diverse cast of characters, I highly recommend Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams instead!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Sexual violence
sydneybedell's review against another edition
emotional
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
Graphic: Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
onestephatatime's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Sexism
Moderate: Classism, Drug use, Alcohol, Infidelity, and Sexual content
teddylouise00's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I almost DNF’ed this so many times. It dragged and dragged until about the last 50 pages, which isn’t what you want. It’s a fine debut. The similes got convoluted and the long passages of Nothing got boring pretty quickly. The ending did keep my attention though, Anna’s mind as everything is moving on from this one emotionally draining point in her life is interesting and therapeutic. I’m afraid the era of Sally Rooney type narratives may already be reaching its end (only the knock offs though, Ms Rooney is doing just fine!!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Mental illness, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Sexual assault
angel_kiiss's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
5.0
For a while I felt like I wasn’t liking this book, but every time I stopped reading it was all I could think about. Gripping stuff
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcohol and Toxic friendship
Minor: Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Sexual violence
irenemarie's review against another edition
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
4.75
Disclaimer: I received a copy through a GoodReads giveaway. Thank you to Henry Holt & Co for the opportunity to read this book.
Wow. I both love and hate this book. However, what I hate is also why I love it. At times it had me throwing my book into my lap. The characters are all flawed, but there are endearing portions to them that make you wishful, hoping for the best. It is with ease that one identities with and feel kinship to the protagonist, Anna, because her emotions and thoughts are articulated so well. Even the moments when she herself isn't sure. Insecurities I have felt, but never knew exactly how to describe. Including why it is so difficult to find the words, or why you can’t say it for fear everything will come crashing down.
Crimp does a fantastic job introducing the reader to the world of opera. Despite having zero knowledge, I am able to comprehend the sensation and emotions of the competitive world of professional singing. I empathize with Anna and want to cradle her, even though at times I want to smack her upside the head. Oh god, does that mean I am Laurie?
I thoroughly enjoyed this, but I will throw out the disclaimer that I am a nearly 35 year old cynical AF woman who has always missed those happily ever after opportunities. Definitely will have to pick something not about domesticity or relationships next, so I don’t go full fledge jaded. 😂
Wow. I both love and hate this book. However, what I hate is also why I love it. At times it had me throwing my book into my lap. The characters are all flawed, but there are endearing portions to them that make you wishful, hoping for the best. It is with ease that one identities with and feel kinship to the protagonist, Anna, because her emotions and thoughts are articulated so well. Even the moments when she herself isn't sure. Insecurities I have felt, but never knew exactly how to describe. Including why it is so difficult to find the words, or why you can’t say it for fear everything will come crashing down.
Crimp does a fantastic job introducing the reader to the world of opera. Despite having zero knowledge, I am able to comprehend the sensation and emotions of the competitive world of professional singing. I empathize with Anna and want to cradle her, even though at times I want to smack her upside the head. Oh god, does that mean I am Laurie?
I thoroughly enjoyed this, but I will throw out the disclaimer that I am a nearly 35 year old cynical AF woman who has always missed those happily ever after opportunities. Definitely will have to pick something not about domesticity or relationships next, so I don’t go full fledge jaded. 😂
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Sexual content
Minor: Drug use
lbhreads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Emotional abuse and Infidelity
nanobooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5
Immediate thoughts: I think we often aggrandize bad people as true villains when... they're just bad people? I don't know what to make of the ending.
Review This was a difficult read. Anna is a mid-twenties opera postgrad in London on an opera scholarship. One day, she meets a late-thirties man and he gaslights her. Hard. Repeatedly. But sometimes he's nice. Sometimes he's so tender, so sensitive, that it's hard to see the other side.
It's hard to say that the character of Anna has development instead of just resolving the problem that this man creates. I don't know if we're supposed to feel gaslit by the end but I definitely did.
This said, I could not stop reading and, even though I was not looking forward to reading about opera, I thought the author did a great job making it interesting and connecting the feeling behind the operas to Anna's life.
Thanks to Henry Holt and Co. for the ARC!
Review This was a difficult read. Anna is a mid-twenties opera postgrad in London on an opera scholarship. One day, she meets a late-thirties man and he gaslights her. Hard. Repeatedly. But sometimes he's nice. Sometimes he's so tender, so sensitive, that it's hard to see the other side.
It's hard to say that the character of Anna has development instead of just resolving the problem that this man creates. I don't know if we're supposed to feel gaslit by the end but I definitely did.
This said, I could not stop reading and, even though I was not looking forward to reading about opera, I thought the author did a great job making it interesting and connecting the feeling behind the operas to Anna's life.
Thanks to Henry Holt and Co. for the ARC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexual assault and Toxic relationship
becca_thegrimreader's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
2.75
A coming of age story that tackles navigating a career, and relationships. I enjoyed many things in this book, with some razor-sharp analysis on performance careers, feminism, and toxic relationships.
Anna is a young opera singer studying at a prestigious opera school. She is struggling financially, working as a jazz singer in a hotel bar while living in below standard accommodation. While at work she meets Max, an older man who captures her attention. Throughout the book, Anna is trying to piece together who Max is as a person. He is a man who doesn’t talk about himself and does not share personal details with Anna unless he has to. It’s hard to call what Anna and Max have a relationship. Anna is naïve and Max takes advantage of that. Sections of this book were difficult to read due to Max’s controlling behaviour and how he gaslights and manipulates her into making decisions about her life. We watch as Anna becomes anxious and wrought with self-doubt as the book progresses.
As a musician, the sections of the book that feature her singing are relatable. We all have high hopes when we begin college, and the sudden vulnerability that Anna feels when starting at her conservatoire is familiar for me. As Max’s control over her strengthens, it is hard to read how Anna’s voice becomes a fearful thing for her. Her voice is her instrument, and it was a powerful choice to display his effect in that way.
I received this book from Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing. My review is unbiased and honest.
I received this book from Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing. My review is unbiased and honest.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
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