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liloltangerine's review
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Eating disorder, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Self harm
crispylexi's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: Animal death and Vomit
anadorablegal's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Alcohol
zreadz's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
What started out as a book that seemed like it would investigate the inner turmoil of toxic relationships and the misogynistic views imposed on women from a young age, turned into an unhinged societal stream of consciousness read.
While some may find a certain allure in watching a train wreck, there was no redeeming moment for the protagonist, and nothing left me with even a hint of hope for womanhood. The narrative felt like a continuous stream of trauma, with some scenes so graphic in their depiction of sexual violence that it seemed like a fantasy for the particularly depraved.
I did relate to the protagonist’s inner conflicts surrounding men, body image, and navigating one’s 20s as a woman trying to reconcile societal expectations with a desire to find one’s true self. However, the end of the book left me feeling confused, irritated, and afraid. Is this the journey women must go through to find themselves? Are we defined by our relationships, our willingness to be alone, are we destined to fail in life if we have trauma? I struggled to understand the message the book was trying to convey and almost wanted to forget about it altogether. It almost reminded me of the premise of Bell Hooks’ Communion and new wave feminism.
It felt like reading a bad omen. This book is like Normal People, but with both protagonists being insufferable, having extreme unresolved trauma, and breaking up in a horrifically violent and crude manner. This was not the read I was expecting or wanting. Maybe that’s the message?
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
kealki's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Eating disorder, Self harm, and Sexual assault
chloeyasheckie'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Fatphobia, Rape, and Sexual assault
flamingostrikes's review
- 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
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
vivectelvanni's review
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
sgs's review against another edition
4.0
Unfortunately, a very reflective and realistic novel for women, and I (disturbingly) felt I saw a friend’s relationship in it.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Fatphobia, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
katelandd's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual violence