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amyvl93's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- 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
2.5
f you watched and enjoyed Succession, but thought that Logan Roy just wasn't quite vile enough, The Exhibitionist may be for you!
This novel follows the gathering of the Hanrahan family at the family home ahead of the patriarch Ray, one-time famous artist, launches his first art show in many, many years. We are introduced to Lucia, his wife who has put her arguably more successful career on hold; Patrick, his stepson who longs for a life outside of the family home; Jess, his daughter who has fled from London to Scotland to avoid her family and Leah, his (strangely) devoted other daughter. Alongside the core family are Jess' wet blanket husband, Ray's brother and his family, his ex-wife amongst many others.
I was enjoying this to begin with, I liked the nuanced time we spend with Lucia and Jess in particular - the latter grappling with potential motherhood and the former with her sexuality were both interesting. However, it did start to become overly repetitive and noodley with little point. I also struggled to fully understand some of the character motivations here - especially Leah whose character I never felt we really got to understand. Ray's general vile personality also didn't appear to have any nuance - I don't mind unlikeable characters but I like to be able to at least understand their motivations and Ray was just...horrific. I didn't enjoy spending time with him at all.
Whilst an interesting character study, The Exhibitionist didn't quite give me the pay off I wanted it to.
This novel follows the gathering of the Hanrahan family at the family home ahead of the patriarch Ray, one-time famous artist, launches his first art show in many, many years. We are introduced to Lucia, his wife who has put her arguably more successful career on hold; Patrick, his stepson who longs for a life outside of the family home; Jess, his daughter who has fled from London to Scotland to avoid her family and Leah, his (strangely) devoted other daughter. Alongside the core family are Jess' wet blanket husband, Ray's brother and his family, his ex-wife amongst many others.
I was enjoying this to begin with, I liked the nuanced time we spend with Lucia and Jess in particular - the latter grappling with potential motherhood and the former with her sexuality were both interesting. However, it did start to become overly repetitive and noodley with little point. I also struggled to fully understand some of the character motivations here - especially Leah whose character I never felt we really got to understand. Ray's general vile personality also didn't appear to have any nuance - I don't mind unlikeable characters but I like to be able to at least understand their motivations and Ray was just...horrific. I didn't enjoy spending time with him at all.
Whilst an interesting character study, The Exhibitionist didn't quite give me the pay off I wanted it to.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Domestic abuse, Sexism, and Cancer
Minor: Suicide
catriona176's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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 can’t remember the last time I detested a character as much as I detested Ray Hanrahan, and I read a lot of books about serial killers
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Bullying
Moderate: Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Misogyny
juno_enb's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- 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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Toxic relationship
alexdayhey's review
I found the man that this book gravitated around so infuriating that I just couldn't do it anymore. I know he was supposed to be deeply problematic, but I found myself wanting to scream at every other character in the book "this man is so bloody average and you're better than this".
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Domestic abuse
extrey_extrey's review
slow-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: Emotional abuse and Domestic abuse
beriboo's review
dark
funny
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
This is a story about a dysfunctional family, Mum, Dad and three adult children (plus a boyfriend) over the course of one weekend. Ray (dad) is an artist and a horrible narcissist who is putting on an exhibition for the first time in years. His wife, Lucia, is timid and has been emotionally abused by Ray for decades, she is carrying some secrets with her though, hoping Ray won’t find out. Their eldest daughter Leah is obsessed with her father, the youngest Jess seems to hate everyone including her boyfriend Martin. And the brother Patrick is trying to recover from a nervous breakdown but is used by Ray and floats on the outskirts of the family.
This is a strange one. None of the characters are likeable, some you pity, others you will despise. Still, I could not put this book down, I wanted to see what happened between them. Would anyone get their just deserts? Would there be some resolution.?
Throughout the story are little hints of a secret or something to come that just keeps you hooked right to the end.
This is a strange one. None of the characters are likeable, some you pity, others you will despise. Still, I could not put this book down, I wanted to see what happened between them. Would anyone get their just deserts? Would there be some resolution.?
Throughout the story are little hints of a secret or something to come that just keeps you hooked right to the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Cancer
Minor: Bullying, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Abortion, Alcoholism, and Pregnancy
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