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lols_cat's review against another edition
- 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
2.5
Graphic: Miscarriage
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Abortion
nightfell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I am SHOCKED that this is Leilani's first book and I WILL be reading all her other books.
Luster is a book about a young woman named Edie who is struggling with her life. She gets into a relationship with a middle aged white man and the book goes into detail about the privilege, race, class, gender and many other themes that come as a result of their relationship as a black woman.
I related to this book too much.
The writing is phenomenal. It probably isn't for everyone as it requires the reader to pay rapt attention and digest every single word that is written, but that is why I love it so muc. There were sentences that were paragraphs long, which added to the tone and meanings which were perfectly conveyed. Each subsection was perfection, and after each one I felt the urge to out down the book, and stare at the wall, as each part is so packed with meaning, and intention and precision.
I'm not smart enough to put down in words how this book made me feel, and to unpack the multitude of the layers this book had, all I can say was that it is a one of a kind, and it was executed so well. PLEASE READ IT.
It took me over a month and it is just over 200 pages long. That's because I read it during a time where I was already depressed and at times the book got too real for me. Some times I would read it and have to make a choice to keep reading or prioritise my own happiness and wellbeing. But it communicates the type of depression that holds you tightly and is with you always. I don't know If this is making sense but just read it.
That fact that Raven Leilani sat down and wrote this masterpiece makes me genuinely angry, because how did she write this. More accurately: how can anyone write something this powerful. One of my best books of the year.
Graphic: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Medical content
Moderate: Death, Gore, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Dysphoria, and Classism
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Drug use, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Blood, Car accident, and Abortion
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
overall, an interesting novel abt a peculiar marital and living arrangement that also deals w/ heady, uneasy issues.
Graphic: Miscarriage, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Death, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, and Abortion
davidbythebay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Don't get me wrong, I still have some issues with the story. First of all, it was sometimes disjointed almost in that things just happened and felt like there was no thought behind it by the characters. For example - and this is in the description and not a spoiler - when Edie (our main character) becomes unemployed and invited to live with this family given everything that is knowingly going on here by the parties. It just reads as odd. I get setting aside differences and emotions in an emergency situation, but taking someone in whom you think so little of and then seem to be friends with, back and forth on this endless spectrum of what's going on here.
The writing was absolutely lovely, on the whole. Some things were a little over written (poetic to the point of overdoing it) but mostly it was a pleasant read. One issue I had was, and this is something small, the hipster-vibe of acknowledging and naming the patriarchy/capitalism/what-have-you in the middle of a rant. I just don't like a conversation - and I have actually been privy to these happening in real life and even then they feel staged - where something happens and it is named by the grander concept that it embodies. I know this is a patriarchal matter you are discussing and having opinions on. I don't need to be bluntly slapped by that wet fish.
All of that aside, I enjoyed the writing and liked the story. It touched on several important topics and ideas, but sometimes it dealt with them very briefly and it came across as being dismissive. (I'm talking about the key scene in particular. If you know, you know.) As it stands, it was an enjoyable bit of reading but nothing I really connected with. I may just be done with the whole millennial/Gen Z sarcastic "wokeness" even though I am technically called a millennial/Gen Z. It's something that tends to be blunt and generalized without nuance or tact. Luster did not paint with such a wide indiscriminate brush, but it definitely created some bright strokes.
Better than an average book, but just not my taste. 3.5 Stars
Graphic: Drug use, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Racism, Sexual content, Blood, Abortion, and Alcohol
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Drug abuse, Sexual violence, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
dori39's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Abortion
Moderate: Drug use, Police brutality, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Gun violence, Mental illness, and Suicide
ariadnelydia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Racism, Toxic relationship, and Police brutality
Minor: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Blood, and Death of parent
ejsreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5/5 stars only because it was difficult for me to sympathize with the characters, plotline, and thematic elements (which I personally deem as bizarre emptiness à la "millennial fiction").
Nevertheless, Lelani's prose is incredibly captivating and deeply human albeit grotesque at times.
Graphic: Miscarriage, Sexual content, Abortion, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Racism, Sexual violence, Police brutality, and Medical content
Minor: Animal death, Drug use, Suicide, Blood, and Death of parent
harrirebekah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I’m not gonna lie I was completely lost after the 110 page mark, I felt like I slipped a chapter. I also really didn’t vibe with the Eric of Rebecca at all, I felt conflicted about Edie and just miserable for Akila.
Idk I thought there were some interesting themes around being a twenty-something who is lost post-graduation, dealing with a lot of built up trauma and an honest and witty take on sex and relationships. But, I just didn’t love it.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Medical content, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
orireading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Miscarriage, Racism, Sexual content, Suicide, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Vomit and Abortion
raynaaskiverr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism