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greatexpectations77's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I really didn't like this one much. I got it from a LFL, and I don't think that I had read the author's writing before. It very much seems like Ms. Oyler was trying to say something really ~deep~ about social media and politics and whatever. What's interesting is that the reviews by readers show that it didn't hit the mark at all. The reviews by papers and critics say she was "skewering" our world. But is it possible that they just didn't get it and thought that that made it brilliant? Like I already know that I spend too much time on social media and that a lot of social justice is performative. Telling me that doesn't mean you discovered anything new. It's just patting yourself on the back for being obvious. No thanks at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Abandonment, and Car accident
Minor: Grief, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and Bullying
Just skip it.lattelibrarian's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I find myself perplexed by this book. I knew it'd be a great book discussion pick, which is why I chose it. After discussing this title, I find myself liking it more as a piece of work rather than as a story. It isn't lost on me that our unnamed main character performs the same actions as her dead boyfriend (who was secretly a conspiracy theorist, she unfortunately is unable to break up with him before his premature death), such as moving to Germany, lying about herself on first dates, and being generally insufferable.
These two characters are perfect for each other when you think about how flawed they are--but, the point of this book does seem to beg the question of whether we truly know a person, whether their online and in-person personalities hold different weight, and whether you can believe any information presented to you at any given time. This book also brought up the question of immigration, language-learning, and the topic of Oyler's own profession, as she's a critic (and a rather insightful and inciteful one, at that). It does make us wonder how much of Oyler is in her unnamed character, but it must be remembered that this is a debut.
While critiques of other works are her job, this book seemed to subtly critique our main character's own sense of duty and being, which meant our main character is also just wish-washy and self-important in the way that many people leading their lives online tend to be. Definitely an interesting book, but I can't say whether I enjoyed it or not.
These two characters are perfect for each other when you think about how flawed they are--but, the point of this book does seem to beg the question of whether we truly know a person, whether their online and in-person personalities hold different weight, and whether you can believe any information presented to you at any given time. This book also brought up the question of immigration, language-learning, and the topic of Oyler's own profession, as she's a critic (and a rather insightful and inciteful one, at that). It does make us wonder how much of Oyler is in her unnamed character, but it must be remembered that this is a debut.
While critiques of other works are her job, this book seemed to subtly critique our main character's own sense of duty and being, which meant our main character is also just wish-washy and self-important in the way that many people leading their lives online tend to be. Definitely an interesting book, but I can't say whether I enjoyed it or not.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Alcohol
orireading's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcohol
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