Reviews with content warning for Classism - Boy Parts

This book both was and wasn't what I expected. Horrible book about horrible people that I enjoyed a lot.

The book is more about dealing with the aftermath of abuse than with kink etc. Irina is an example of a character who has turned into an unkind, unpleasant person as a result of dealing with trauma; rather than becoming empathetic or a people pleaser. It was an interesting to follow the protagonist of the story and be uncomfortable almost all of the time with their actions, but also to almost get used to their bad behaviour through hearing their own constant "logical" excuses and justifications.

How Irina changes and unravels through the book is the most interesting part. At first, I thought the central question of the story was explore to what extent bad behaviour and unkind attitude can be explained/excused by being traumatised. As the book went on, it became clear that it was instead much more about

the increasingly desperate measures taken by someone who was abused to try and avoid being powerless or a victim again, and the ensuing dissociation and distress caused when she is not taken seriously as a threat, or even as someone with power in a situation, simply because she is a woman. Irina spends so much of the book obsessively controlling herself her situation, and the people around her, only to fall apart when she realises that she is never taken seriously or seen as being in control by the men who objectify and sexualise her, even when she is violent or sexually abusive. An interesting take on the cycle of abuse.

There were a few goofy parts - notably the part when Irina goes to the club and goes on a long tangent about how white everyone is, despite herself being white, and the name dropping of films like August Underground, but generally I liked how it was written. Also includes a lot of fun critique of the art world and art college. Feels like American Psycho for girls, so if that description appeals to you you'll like it.

Content Warnings

lovegriefandgender's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny sad tense fast-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

5.0

This is, and I do not say this lightly, the single most terrifying book I've ever read — if only because I caught myself mid-laugh gasping in horror.

Content Warnings

laurataylor's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

emilyrowanstudio's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense fast-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

4.75

Boy Parts was deliciously uncomfortable to read. Gruesome, hilarious, jaw-dropping, and did any of it really happen? Protagonist Irina is deeply unlikeable but equally addictive. The term 'unreliable narrator' could well have been made for her, and the extent of which you find this out as the novel goes on is truly chilling.

The social commentary here is fab, the one liners are laugh-out-loud funny, and the characters intentionally cringe. Scathing and brilliant British references are peppered throughout the book, from a friend's ex being described as "this NME-cut-out, landfill-indie looking c*nt with a porkpie hat and a huge fringe", to a character only ever referred to as "Eddie from Tesco".

The way in which the male gaze is flipped to that of a femme fatale in Boy Parts is so readable, Irina using her own fetishitic gaze to scrutizine in detail everyone she meets. Those interested in the arts and/or Photography (as I am) will surely enjoy the critique of the art world running through the book, from the North/South divide and privilege, to how Irina both plays and transgresses the system. She is one sly, shady lady.

I marked this down from 5 stars because of a 50 page drug bender towards the start of the book, the length of which didn't add much to the story. I much preferred the scouting for models, toxic dates, and exhibition prep which thankfully take up the majority of the book.

A dark, twisted, and violent book, one you'll simply click with or you won't. One Goodreads reviewer dubbed it "American Psycho for hot girls". Hard recommend if any of the above sounds up your street.

Content Warnings

erenreads's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

to the halfway point it was a 3 stars

around 75% it became a 4.

and at the end it’s such an easy 5 star book.

i don’t even want to comment on it, it’s disturbing and impactful.

holy fuck.

edit: back down to 4 stars sorry babes

Content Warnings

satellitesiken's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

what a trip! eliza clark pulled of this unreliable narrator with such a sharp pen and the themes of gender, class and sexism were woven into the narrative brilliantly. the narrator irina is a terrible, manipulative, calculated, cruel and evil person and yet clark always managed to leave her with that crumb of relatability that made you emphasise with her (or at least with her experiences as a woman living under patriarchy) a tiny bit, whilst abhorring yourself for it. i’m really looking forward to “penance”!

Content Warnings

uwubies's review against another edition

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Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

female british american psycho i hated it i was obsessed with it irina fucking sucks LOl

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