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ksedreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
“I can summon both pictures from memory, the same scene from two different artists.”
Fresh out of rehab, Mallory Quinn takes a job in the affluent suburb of Spring Brook, New Jersey as a babysitter for Ted and Caroline Maxwell. She is to look after their five-year-old son, Teddy. Mallory immediately loves this new job. She lives in the Maxwell's pool house, goes out for nightly runs, and has the stability she craves. And she sincerely bonds with Teddy, a sweet, shy boy who is never without his sketchbook and pencil. His drawings are the usual fare: trees, rabbits, balloons. But one day, he draws something different: a man in a forest, dragging a woman's lifeless body. As the days pass, Teddy's artwork becomes more and more sinister, and his stick figures steadily evolve into more detailed, complex, and lifelike sketches well beyond the ability of any five-year-old. Mallory begins to suspect these are glimpses of an unsolved murder from long ago, perhaps relayed by a supernatural force lingering in the forest behind the Maxwell's house. With help from a handsome landscaper and an eccentric neighbor, Mallory sets out to decipher the images and save Teddy while coming to terms with a tragedy in her own past before it's too late.
Big oof. First off, this book won the good reads award for best Horror book. It is more of a Thriller than a Horror book. “Hidden Pictures” started off as a fast paced and enjoyable read and I thought I might rate it 5 stars. Then the racist, fat phobic, and transphobic undertones of the book made themselves known. It immediately turned me off from the book and I ended up giving it 1 ⭐️. It’s 2023, do better.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Transphobia, and Fatphobia
iblamewizards's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
While unbelievably fun to read (I read the whole book over two nights), there was something about Hidden Pictures that just didn't sit quite right with me. At any given moment I can rate this book anywhere from two to four stars, so I've sort of settled somewhere in the middle.
To start with the positive, the story is fast-paced, conceptually interesting, and includes some lovely artwork, giving the book something unique. I also found the plot twists to be surprising, although I'm not entirely convinced, logical.
One of the significant issues with Hidden Pictures, however, is that it's marketed as a horror novel because it includes some very minor supernatural stuff. It isn't, though. This book falls firmly in the Thriller genre, so definitely don't go into this book expecting any scares, or psychological terror. It's a pretty bog-standard crime thriller plot from start to finish, with a little bit of supernatural seasoning sprinkled on top.
So why, despite absolutely devouring it, can I not decide if Hidden Pictures was good or not? I've been going over and over it in my head, and I think it's because there's this hidden undercurrent of religious conservatism that underpins the whole book. Mallory's Christianity is mentioned constantly, and there is a seedy undercurrent of transphobia that affects a huge chunk of the narrative. None of it is ever overt, but all of it was dealt with in a way that just made me feel really uncomfortable. Add to that some spectacularly blatant fatphobia, and this book reads like a YA evangelical thriller instead of a mature, adult horror novel.
Apart from that, while the end was loads of fun, and had heaps of potential, so many decisions just defied any kind of logic. Character choices required so much suspension of disbelief that I found them funny, rather than thrilling. And Mallory made some...questionable...choices in her role as babysitter that made me want to reach through the pages and fire her myself.
Still, I enjoyed Hidden Pictures enough to read the whole novel in two sittings, so despite it's problems, I did enjoy it. I suspect it's a book that will age poorly though, and is definitely not one I'll ever revisit.
Edit: The more I've thought of this book since reading it, the more problematic its transphobia has become. What at first seemed like something that was easily glossed over, I've since realised, is an anti-trans dog-whistle with a very clear agenda. It's definitely affected my reading of this work.
To start with the positive, the story is fast-paced, conceptually interesting, and includes some lovely artwork, giving the book something unique. I also found the plot twists to be surprising, although I'm not entirely convinced, logical.
One of the significant issues with Hidden Pictures, however, is that it's marketed as a horror novel because it includes some very minor supernatural stuff. It isn't, though. This book falls firmly in the Thriller genre, so definitely don't go into this book expecting any scares, or psychological terror. It's a pretty bog-standard crime thriller plot from start to finish, with a little bit of supernatural seasoning sprinkled on top.
So why, despite absolutely devouring it, can I not decide if Hidden Pictures was good or not? I've been going over and over it in my head, and I think it's because there's this hidden undercurrent of religious conservatism that underpins the whole book. Mallory's Christianity is mentioned constantly, and there is a seedy undercurrent of transphobia that affects a huge chunk of the narrative. None of it is ever overt, but all of it was dealt with in a way that just made me feel really uncomfortable. Add to that some spectacularly blatant fatphobia, and this book reads like a YA evangelical thriller instead of a mature, adult horror novel.
Apart from that, while the end was loads of fun, and had heaps of potential, so many decisions just defied any kind of logic. Character choices required so much suspension of disbelief that I found them funny, rather than thrilling. And Mallory made some...questionable...choices in her role as babysitter that made me want to reach through the pages and fire her myself.
Still, I enjoyed Hidden Pictures enough to read the whole novel in two sittings, so despite it's problems, I did enjoy it. I suspect it's a book that will age poorly though, and is definitely not one I'll ever revisit.
Edit: The more I've thought of this book since reading it, the more problematic its transphobia has become. What at first seemed like something that was easily glossed over, I've since realised, is an anti-trans dog-whistle with a very clear agenda. It's definitely affected my reading of this work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Transphobia
toofondofbooks_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This had potential, and I was really genuinely enjoying it until about the last 100 pages or so. There's really not much I can say about what I didn't like about this book with this review remaining spoiler free, but I'll try to be as cryptic as possible. It really guts me that this was a 5 star prediction lol
First though, I do want to bring up its merits, because I think that it has some.
Things I liked: It's set in a small town based on a real town that not only is near to where I live but that I've been to several times and it mentions several landmarks that are familiar to me. I also liked the illustration elements and how they get spookier and spookier as the book goes on.
Things I didn't like: Pretty much everything else but especially the big plot twist at the end. Absolutely the stupidest thing in the world. Made half of the book absolutely pointless. This could've been edited down to just 200 pages and it would've been better and not as much of a waste of time.
I only add the half a star because I have a soft spot for the small town that the book is based on.
First though, I do want to bring up its merits, because I think that it has some.
Things I liked: It's set in a small town based on a real town that not only is near to where I live but that I've been to several times and it mentions several landmarks that are familiar to me. I also liked the illustration elements and how they get spookier and spookier as the book goes on.
Things I didn't like: Pretty much everything else but especially the big plot twist at the end. Absolutely the stupidest thing in the world. Made half of the book absolutely pointless. This could've been edited down to just 200 pages and it would've been better and not as much of a waste of time.
I only add the half a star because I have a soft spot for the small town that the book is based on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Racism, Fatphobia, Car accident, Infertility, Drug use, Addiction, Death, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Xenophobia, Excrement, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Transphobia, Child death, and Infidelity
Moderate: Sexual content and Sexual assault
Minor: Rape
simplyammee's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
Moderate: Fatphobia and Transphobia
deetabz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Sexual harassment, Violence, Gun violence, Drug use, Drug abuse, Addiction, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Death, Gaslighting, and Murder
Moderate: Racism, Transphobia, Abandonment, Fatphobia, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Body shaming
Minor: Dementia and Infertility
blackcatkai's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
started off strong, but lost all of it in the last third of the story. a lot of current issues buzzwords just tossed in with very little actual care taken on any of the topics, but mostly they just felt crammed in with very little reason or impact. is it demonizing science believers? demonizing spiritual/religious people? definitely constant fatphobic/body shaming sprinkled throughout.
it feels like the most care was taken in regards to drug use/addiction, but it still all felt off, somehow. the ending also feels very.....weird. you ever hear conspiracies that people are forcing children to think they're trans even though it's not true? well, if you actually agree with those conspiracies, then this book is for you! and also you're a horrible person, maybe get off the internet a bit & stop that.
yea, no. not a fan & I will not be reading from the author in the future. thank you.
it feels like the most care was taken in regards to drug use/addiction, but it still all felt off, somehow. the ending also feels very.....weird. you ever hear conspiracies that people are forcing children to think they're trans even though it's not true? well, if you actually agree with those conspiracies, then this book is for you! and also you're a horrible person, maybe get off the internet a bit & stop that.
yea, no. not a fan & I will not be reading from the author in the future. thank you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Drug abuse, Murder, Death, Alcohol, Fatphobia, Blood, Violence, Drug use, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Addiction, and Body shaming
Moderate: Ableism, Racism, and Transphobia
mx_eyebrows's review against another edition
I don’t usually write reviews, but his book annoyed me so much that I have to. The first half of it was going along pretty well, and then things took several turns.
From the jump there is a lot of mention about the main character being Christian, and the two other adult main characters being atheist. We are banged over the head with it on several occasions. It just feels icky, like you're getting reminded that atheists are bad people subtly, over and over. And wouldn’t you know, the Christian ends up to be the hero and the Atheists are bad people. Of course.
Then, we get a plot point/twist using gender identity that I found to be very problematic.</spoiler>
There are many other plot points that are introduced and then not mentioned again until the very end, and didn’t even need to be there. And, a lot of confusing or stupid decisions by characters. Just a trope filled mess.
My advice is to not waste your time.
From the jump there is a lot of mention about the main character being Christian, and the two other adult main characters being atheist. We are banged over the head with it on several occasions. It just feels icky, like you're getting reminded that atheists are bad people subtly, over and over. And wouldn’t you know, the Christian ends up to be the hero and the Atheists are bad people. Of course.
Then, we get a plot point/twist using gender identity that I found to be very problematic.</spoiler>
There are many other plot points that are introduced and then not mentioned again until the very end, and didn’t even need to be there. And, a lot of confusing or stupid decisions by characters. Just a trope filled mess.
My advice is to not waste your time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Transphobia, Kidnapping, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, Transphobia, Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Fatphobia, Sexual harassment, Drug use, Drug abuse, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, Kidnapping, and Body shaming
kelseyr713's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Author doesn’t attempt to hide his vile politics and the writing is not on the level of an adult novel. Also, for a book that’s marketed as horror, it’s not scary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Drug abuse, Drug use, Addiction, and Murder
Moderate: Fatphobia, Violence, Body shaming, Child death, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Racism, Xenophobia, Car accident, Blood, and Infertility
Minor: Gun violence, Police brutality, and Dementia
inkdrinkers's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have so many thoughts about this book so bare with me if you're reading this review. I'm going to organize them as best as humanly possible. I went into Hidden Pictures knowing nothing - I didn't know the plot, I didn't know the content warnings, and I didn't know the author.
There will be mild spoilers below.
Hidden Pictures is focused on Mallory Quinn, a recently recovered drug addict who lands a nanny job with an affluent family to watch their shy son, Teddy. After she takes the job she begins to realize that something strange is occurring around the house and in the cottage where she lives on the property. She then learns that there is a ghost story central to the cottage and an artist was murdered there.
Let be start by saying I love thrillers with a hint of paranormal. If you don't like this, this book is NOT for you. This book is not for anyone who likes thrillers to have a realistic and entirely human end.
Now that is out of the way: I really enjoyed the plot twists for what they were. I listened to the audiobook and had no idea that Teddy's illustrations are actually featured throughout the novel. I think this made it better because I could form my own opinions and imagine what in the hell was going on. When I was certain I understood where the story was going, it would pivot back to the supernatural element and make me question whether or not I was sure of my firm decision.
Heavy spoilers below, do not read if you don't want to be spoiled.
I recognized the warning signs early on with the hints dropped about Teddy's identity. I have to admit I was a little hesitant to jump to that because the paranormal element really made me question. Once the end of the book finally reveals Teddy is actually Flora and was kidnapped as a toddler, I wasn't sure what kind of ride I was about to end this book on.
I completely understand the comments by some that this book has its issues with racism, transphobia, and fatphobia/body shaming. But to me, all the characters felt very human. They were not individuals without flaws and each time any of the above were mentioned were in full awareness that the character mentioning them was unreliable, imperfect, and had many biases.
Racism: the background of the plot deals with a woman running away to marry a black man in the 1940s. She has a loving life with him, children, and it turns out she was never murdered in the cottage. Her racist brother made up the story so he didn't have to admit to his white friends that his sister ran off with a black man. The main character, Mallory, also has a relationship with Adrian, the rich son of a landscaping company owner who lives in the neighborhood and is Latino. The neighbor, Mitzi, makes racist comments about him but it's confirmed she is oftentimes using drugs and is an incredibly isolated individual (she watches only Fox News, has no relatives, and reads tarot cards for a living in her home for her job).
Transphobia: The Maxwell's child in the story is Teddy/Flora. For ease, I'm going to refer to them as they/them and Teddy in this section. I'll also provide as much context as I can for anyone reading this to make their own conclusions. Teddy was kidnapped by Caroline Maxwell as a toddler after Caroline decided she was tired of having infertility issues and wanted a child (out of boredom/grief). Teddy, born Flora, is then smuggled away from the scene of the crime (of their mother being murdered by Caroline) by Caroline dressing them up as a boy, cutting their hair, and then whisking them away to a farm in Virginia, where Caroline spends a year brainwashing Teddy into believing they are the Maxwell's child. I completely understand how some can view this entire plotline as transphobic, but there is never a single mention of anyone questioning Teddy's identity and Mallory makes a statement multiple times saying she doesn't care what identity Teddy uses, only that they're safe. Teddy is five at the beginning of the novel and six by the time the epilogue/one year later takes place where they are going by Flora and using she/her pronouns again. It's indicated that the entire plot of Teddy being forced to live as a boy was to hide them from the authorities and, in a very sick way, give the Maxwells the son they always wanted. I feel like I can't make a full comment on this, as I'm cis. The end chapter seems to indicate Teddy is just trying to exist and have a normal childhood after a very traumatic three years of being kidnapped, haunted by a ghost, and isolated.
(I will add that Harry Potter and JK Rowling are mentioned twice, quite randomly at the end?? Which threw me for a loop because the comments are very strange. In one, Mallory offers her copy of the Sorcerer's Stone for Caroline to read. The last reference is Mallory discussing that she's not a great writer and can't write a full book like "JK Rowling" - I took this to mean this was her baseline of "popular" authors because it's mentioned she doesn't read, she likes to watch Halmark movies, and she converted to Christianity after recovering from addiction. The entire novel is actually written as Mallory writing down the story of the haunting and crime for Teddy to read later)
Fatphobia/Body Shaming: It is presented to us that Mallory was a track star in high school and takes pride in her health now that she's been recovered for 19 months. In various character descriptions, if a character is fat they will almost always be referred to as lazy or neglectful. This WAS a hard thing to listen to over and over. Mallory's mother is only redeemed at the end after she loses weight and becomes a runner. Mitzi is old, fat, crazy, and a drug addict (according to many characters). There is a detective at the end that is mentioned to be plus size but she serves as a way to prove Mallory's innocence and no morality is assigned to her body type. I feel like I can comment on this, as a fat individua - and while grossly uncomfortable, it did give me a reason to dislike Mallory as a narrator and think she was unreliable because I didn't enjoy her line of thinking. It had me questioning if I was on her side truly or if she was making things up in her head.
Overall, I don't think I can give this five stars. I think it doesn't deserve that, though it was an incredibly wild read from start to finish. I think my only fair assessment is that it's a three star and truly middle of the road book that had really interesting moments and elements too clouded by a messy plot. I almost leaned towards a two star, but I really loved the supernatural element to the story, the kidnapping twist, and the unreliable characters from all sides. Overall it needed far more clarity from sensitivity readers and a fine toothed comb to help untangle the political, social, and economical commentaries on classicism, racism, and identity. As it stands, I have no idea what the true point of the novel was, nor any of the commentary that the author was trying to make.
There will be mild spoilers below.
Hidden Pictures is focused on Mallory Quinn, a recently recovered drug addict who lands a nanny job with an affluent family to watch their shy son, Teddy. After she takes the job she begins to realize that something strange is occurring around the house and in the cottage where she lives on the property. She then learns that there is a ghost story central to the cottage and an artist was murdered there.
Let be start by saying I love thrillers with a hint of paranormal. If you don't like this, this book is NOT for you. This book is not for anyone who likes thrillers to have a realistic and entirely human end.
Now that is out of the way: I really enjoyed the plot twists for what they were. I listened to the audiobook and had no idea that Teddy's illustrations are actually featured throughout the novel. I think this made it better because I could form my own opinions and imagine what in the hell was going on. When I was certain I understood where the story was going, it would pivot back to the supernatural element and make me question whether or not I was sure of my firm decision.
Heavy spoilers below, do not read if you don't want to be spoiled.
I completely understand the comments by some that this book has its issues with racism, transphobia, and fatphobia/body shaming. But to me, all the characters felt very human. They were not individuals without flaws and each time any of the above were mentioned were in full awareness that the character mentioning them was unreliable, imperfect, and had many biases.
Racism: the background of the plot deals with a woman running away to marry a black man in the 1940s. She has a loving life with him, children, and it turns out she was never murdered in the cottage. Her racist brother made up the story so he didn't have to admit to his white friends that his sister ran off with a black man. The main character, Mallory, also has a relationship with Adrian, the rich son of a landscaping company owner who lives in the neighborhood and is Latino. The neighbor, Mitzi, makes racist comments about him but it's confirmed she is oftentimes using drugs and is an incredibly isolated individual (she watches only Fox News, has no relatives, and reads tarot cards for a living in her home for her job).
Transphobia: The Maxwell's child in the story is Teddy/Flora. For ease, I'm going to refer to them as they/them and Teddy in this section. I'll also provide as much context as I can for anyone reading this to make their own conclusions. Teddy was kidnapped by Caroline Maxwell as a toddler after Caroline decided she was tired of having infertility issues and wanted a child (out of boredom/grief). Teddy, born Flora, is then smuggled away from the scene of the crime (of their mother being murdered by Caroline) by Caroline dressing them up as a boy, cutting their hair, and then whisking them away to a farm in Virginia, where Caroline spends a year brainwashing Teddy into believing they are the Maxwell's child. I completely understand how some can view this entire plotline as transphobic, but there is never a single mention of anyone questioning Teddy's identity and Mallory makes a statement multiple times saying she doesn't care what identity Teddy uses, only that they're safe. Teddy is five at the beginning of the novel and six by the time the epilogue/one year later takes place where they are going by Flora and using she/her pronouns again. It's indicated that the entire plot of Teddy being forced to live as a boy was to hide them from the authorities and, in a very sick way, give the Maxwells the son they always wanted. I feel like I can't make a full comment on this, as I'm cis. The end chapter seems to indicate Teddy is just trying to exist and have a normal childhood after a very traumatic three years of being kidnapped, haunted by a ghost, and isolated.
(I will add that Harry Potter and JK Rowling are mentioned twice, quite randomly at the end?? Which threw me for a loop because the comments are very strange. In one, Mallory offers her copy of the Sorcerer's Stone for Caroline to read. The last reference is Mallory discussing that she's not a great writer and can't write a full book like "JK Rowling" - I took this to mean this was her baseline of "popular" authors because it's mentioned she doesn't read, she likes to watch Halmark movies, and she converted to Christianity after recovering from addiction. The entire novel is actually written as Mallory writing down the story of the haunting and crime for Teddy to read later)
Fatphobia/Body Shaming: It is presented to us that Mallory was a track star in high school and takes pride in her health now that she's been recovered for 19 months. In various character descriptions, if a character is fat they will almost always be referred to as lazy or neglectful. This WAS a hard thing to listen to over and over. Mallory's mother is only redeemed at the end after she loses weight and becomes a runner. Mitzi is old, fat, crazy, and a drug addict (according to many characters). There is a detective at the end that is mentioned to be plus size but she serves as a way to prove Mallory's innocence and no morality is assigned to her body type. I feel like I can comment on this, as a fat individua - and while grossly uncomfortable, it did give me a reason to dislike Mallory as a narrator and think she was unreliable because I didn't enjoy her line of thinking. It had me questioning if I was on her side truly or if she was making things up in her head.
Overall, I don't think I can give this five stars. I think it doesn't deserve that, though it was an incredibly wild read from start to finish. I think my only fair assessment is that it's a three star and truly middle of the road book that had really interesting moments and elements too clouded by a messy plot. I almost leaned towards a two star, but I really loved the supernatural element to the story, the kidnapping twist, and the unreliable characters from all sides. Overall it needed far more clarity from sensitivity readers and a fine toothed comb to help untangle the political, social, and economical commentaries on classicism, racism, and identity. As it stands, I have no idea what the true point of the novel was, nor any of the commentary that the author was trying to make.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Drug abuse, Racism, Kidnapping, Murder, Death, Gaslighting, and Violence
Moderate: Body shaming, Infertility, Fatphobia, Sexual harassment, and Cursing
Minor: Gun violence
The only thing not mentioned in my review is that the husband, Ted, sexually harassed Mallory multiple times. I just don't have the energy to type out my thoughts on that sack of crap.dalmavatai's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Ahhh it's so hard to rate this book & to explain my feelings about it. This book starts off pretty basic with some oft-repeated plot points of the thriller/mystery genre - the trope of the addict nanny who's not believed, the father in the family attracted to the nanny, the handsome local guy piquing the nanny's interest. I really enjoy the nanny-in-the-rich-family and the creepy-kid/creepy-drawings trope so I did like the setup, though it became quite formulaic as the story went on. I did overall enjoy the conclusion to the story because it was definitely something I didn't see coming and it was really interesting, especially how our MC figured out the truth, I really enjoyed the process of getting there.
However... while this book attempts some very basic commentary on racism and sexism, it simultaneously ends up being ableist, fatphobic and transphobic at times, none of which is challenged. The transphobia is especially concerning as it ends up being a larger portion of the book than the other things that are mostly just throwaway comments and remarks. At one point, the transphobia of the MC is challenged, but then the book uses a trope that is very cisheteronormative - and if you don't understand why, it is because our MC assumes Teddy to be a girl as soon as she sees that s/he has a vulva; however, obviously not all people with a vulva are women, such as trans women, and womanhood itself is not rooted in the possession of a vulva. This is the MC's rather transphobic assumption which is then challenged by Ted, but then it turns out that Teddy is *actually* a girl named Flora who was kidnapped by Ted and Caroline and made to live as a boy so that Flora wouldn't be found. I just... don't know how to feel about this plot point. Especially that at the end, Flora goes back to being a girl (after being allowed to explore all options with regards to their gender identity - or so we're led to believe, because really our society is deeply cisheteronormative which means that, according to psychological studies, even when parents believe they are raising their children in a 'gender-neutral' way, they are subconsciously encouraging gender-normative behaviors that falsely link genitalia, appearance, and behavior in a correlative manner - so, if you have a penis then you're a boy and you will dress like a boy and like things that boys like). So Flora "goes back to being a girl" at which point our MC says "I think she's always known that she was a girl", which is not challenged either, so we're left with very cisheteronormative understandings of gender which believe in an intrinsic correlation between genitalia, appearance/clothing and behavior. Sooo it's quite complex but I wanted to justify why I felt the way that I did with where this book went.
The other thing is that a specific nationality becomes an important plot point towards the end of the book, and as a person with that nationality, I feel compelled to tell you that many words, facts, and dishes were incorrect in the book and I wish that the author had done his homework regarding my nationality because I was really happy to see it in a book that I randomly picked up, but understandably less happy to discover that so many of the details were simply incorrect.
Sooo while I enjoyed most of this book and found the reveals satisfying and shocking, I have many issues with it otherwise. 🤐
However... while this book attempts some very basic commentary on racism and sexism, it simultaneously ends up being ableist, fatphobic and transphobic at times, none of which is challenged. The transphobia is especially concerning as it ends up being a larger portion of the book than the other things that are mostly just throwaway comments and remarks. At one point, the transphobia of the MC is challenged, but then the book uses a trope that is very cisheteronormative - and if you don't understand why,
The other thing is that a specific nationality becomes an important plot point towards the end of the book, and as a person with that nationality, I feel compelled to tell you that many words, facts, and dishes were incorrect in the book and I wish that the author had done his homework regarding my nationality because I was really happy to see it in a book that I randomly picked up, but understandably less happy to discover that so many of the details were simply incorrect.
Sooo while I enjoyed most of this book and found the reveals satisfying and shocking, I have many issues with it otherwise. 🤐
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Infertility, Addiction, Car accident, and Murder
Moderate: Fatphobia, Sexism, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Ableism, and Racism
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