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3.25 AVERAGE
3.25 AVERAGE
Taming the Beast is a very well-written, intriguing coming of age novel. I could not put it down. The characters are engrossing and the story is very solid despite the unusual subject matter. Some parts, because of their violent nature, are a bit difficult to read. My only complaint is that it seems to end rather abruptly. I can't wait to read more of Maguire's work.
This book broke my heart. If you are looking for a book that will leave you feeling joyous - go elsewhere.
First off, it's a fast read, or it was for me. I started it last night and finished it in the wee hours of the morning. Sarah is a character I know, a character I loved, and yet - she is fatally flawed. Everyone sees the diamond she is but her, and she seems compelled to prove everyone wrong. In the end she succeeds a bit too well. We have all been her, at some point in our lives, and yet she was unique.
Like Josie said, in her review (and thank you so much for this recommendation!), it is stunning that this is a debut. So beautifully written, so tragic, and yet there is this undercurrent of fulfillment she seemed to provide to everyone but herself. She filled the world and left herself empty.
First off, it's a fast read, or it was for me. I started it last night and finished it in the wee hours of the morning. Sarah is a character I know, a character I loved, and yet - she is fatally flawed. Everyone sees the diamond she is but her, and she seems compelled to prove everyone wrong. In the end she succeeds a bit too well. We have all been her, at some point in our lives, and yet she was unique.
Like Josie said, in her review (and thank you so much for this recommendation!), it is stunning that this is a debut. So beautifully written, so tragic, and yet there is this undercurrent of fulfillment she seemed to provide to everyone but herself. She filled the world and left herself empty.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
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
FUCK YOU JAMIE. omg Jamie is the actual WORST.
before you read this book know that there are no good characters. and not in that sexy bad person way or morally grey anti hero way or that insufferable yet relatable protag way or in that you know what good for her kind of way.
characters who aren’t likeable are fine. realistic characters are great. that’s why so many people love fleabag.
But NONE of these characters are relatable.
and all of them are so stupid
why has no one called the cops on that horrible man? why has no one ever forced sarah into getting some help? like Jesus?
and worst of all the only realistic character was Mike. fucking mike repping brisbane men everywhere. Out of actual main characters though sarah is the only one who could almost be a realistic character if she
a) died of an overdose
b) finally got some sense slapped into her and starting going to so much therapy
c) at least tried to be the slightest bit self aware. “What do you mean you’re jealous of me gettingfingered by one of your mates right next to you even though you love me and we’ve been banging semi monogamously for weeks? ” and this isn’t a diss, she just genuinely doesn’t have a clue.
also she really loved studying and learning and getting her arts degree. . . ? like wasbeing an ACTUAL sex slave to a crusty, old, ex beach bogan that fulfilling? girl.
before you read this book know that there are no good characters. and not in that sexy bad person way or morally grey anti hero way or that insufferable yet relatable protag way or in that you know what good for her kind of way.
characters who aren’t likeable are fine. realistic characters are great. that’s why so many people love fleabag.
But NONE of these characters are relatable.
and all of them are so stupid
why has no one called the cops on that horrible man? why has no one ever forced sarah into getting some help? like Jesus?
and worst of all the only realistic character was Mike. fucking mike repping brisbane men everywhere. Out of actual main characters though sarah is the only one who could almost be a realistic character if she
a) died of an overdose
b) finally got some sense slapped into her and starting going to so much therapy
c) at least tried to be the slightest bit self aware. “What do you mean you’re jealous of me getting
also she really loved studying and learning and getting her arts degree. . . ? like was
Well, this book goes down as one of the worst books that I have ever read. It was another of my Harper Collins First Look review books. Although the summary indicated that it was about a girl who is molested by her teacher when she's 14 it did NOT say that the book was almost completely porn.
It was horrifying. She's molested by this teacher and they start having an affair and the teacher is manipulative and sadistic. Her life spirals down into the gutter after. She sleeps with every man she meets. She's totally obsessed with the teacher, Mr. Carr. Her best friend does his best to help her but he ends up just sleeping with her as well as his own life gets dragged down the toilet with hers.
Then the teacher shows up again and she becomes his willing sex slave. The story ends when her friend kills himself and she stays with the psychotic teacher who sexually tortures her.
It was an awful book. If I hadn't been obligated to read it for the review I would have thrown the book away. It was unredeemable and the story only reinforced horrific themes. The teacher gets away with the entire thing and gets to keep her and keep abusing her. The 'good guy' kills himself and the main girl, Sarah, although she realizes that her life is a disaster, never does anything to try to help herself. She remains the helpless victim forever.
UGH. It was AWFUL. It made me uncomfortable to read and disgusted.
It was horrifying. She's molested by this teacher and they start having an affair and the teacher is manipulative and sadistic. Her life spirals down into the gutter after. She sleeps with every man she meets. She's totally obsessed with the teacher, Mr. Carr. Her best friend does his best to help her but he ends up just sleeping with her as well as his own life gets dragged down the toilet with hers.
Then the teacher shows up again and she becomes his willing sex slave. The story ends when her friend kills himself and she stays with the psychotic teacher who sexually tortures her.
It was an awful book. If I hadn't been obligated to read it for the review I would have thrown the book away. It was unredeemable and the story only reinforced horrific themes. The teacher gets away with the entire thing and gets to keep her and keep abusing her. The 'good guy' kills himself and the main girl, Sarah, although she realizes that her life is a disaster, never does anything to try to help herself. She remains the helpless victim forever.
UGH. It was AWFUL. It made me uncomfortable to read and disgusted.
-This goes so well with Lolita, not sure if anyone is sane enough to go read it back to back though.
-Alot of reviews mentioned its just like My Dark Vanessa. Agreed, both has its shared parallels, but this is a more honest and dreadful version of it that sheds more light on how the impacts of p*edophilia and grooming go beyond the victims and the groomers. Maguire did a spectacular job of depicting victimhood and its complexities of the aftermath.
-Despite the fact that sex is a frequent and important topic, it's not erotica or porn. The book looks at traumatic events, emotions of hopelessness, and a predator's capacity to reason with and control his victim.
-Though each character engaged in self-destructive activity that was twisted, aberrant, and selfish, I was unable to put the book down once I started reading. As a result of everything our heroine had to go through, I thought that the end was satisfying and well done.
-Alot of reviews mentioned its just like My Dark Vanessa. Agreed, both has its shared parallels, but this is a more honest and dreadful version of it that sheds more light on how the impacts of p*edophilia and grooming go beyond the victims and the groomers. Maguire did a spectacular job of depicting victimhood and its complexities of the aftermath.
-Despite the fact that sex is a frequent and important topic, it's not erotica or porn. The book looks at traumatic events, emotions of hopelessness, and a predator's capacity to reason with and control his victim.
-Though each character engaged in self-destructive activity that was twisted, aberrant, and selfish, I was unable to put the book down once I started reading. As a result of everything our heroine had to go through, I thought that the end was satisfying and well done.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
so sad and disturbing the ending was especially painful
this book was pretty intense. the writing got a little awkward here and there, but i think there's a lot to be said about why it was written like that. i'm just not gonna say it. cool book.
Awkward. I often found myself lost at times. Was this happening currently or is this still a flashback?