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lovelymisanthrope's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
As a fan of Mona Awad's previous work, I was excited to pick up this latest book.
"Rouge" follows a woman named Belle who is trying to work through her own insecurities about beauty, as well the recent death of her mother. Belle has always sought to be fairy tale beautiful, and she has the complicated skin routine to prove it. Her mother seemed to have an effortless glow about her that Belle was always envious of. After her sudden death, Belle returns to her mother's home to get her affairs in order, and stumbles upon the world of beauty that finally offers her the opportunity to reach her true beauty potential.
This book was weird, riveting, and sharp all in one. I think the commentary about the beauty industry and how fixated we as a society are on looks is spot on. Belle does not feel beautiful, and she is willing to spare no expense when it comes to buying any and all serums, lotions, or other fads to try to make herself beautiful. The transformative spa, La Maison de Méduse, is equal parts dark and beautiful. The promises the people at this spa make are outlandish, but for someone so desperate to be beautiful, their promises are tantalizing.
I felt like I did not know what was going on half of the time, and I loved every second of it. Watching Belle's descent into obsession and witnessing her loss of self was like watching a car wreck. I wanted to scream at Belle to step back and see what was going on, but this was a listen she had to learn on her own.
The ultimate reveal about what was going on was entirely entertaining. I did not anticipate how everything would play out and how Belle's story would come to a resolution, but I was very pleased with where the story ultimately went.
I am so excited that I loved this book so much, and I am looking forward to seeing what Mona Awad writes next.
"Rouge" follows a woman named Belle who is trying to work through her own insecurities about beauty, as well the recent death of her mother. Belle has always sought to be fairy tale beautiful, and she has the complicated skin routine to prove it. Her mother seemed to have an effortless glow about her that Belle was always envious of. After her sudden death, Belle returns to her mother's home to get her affairs in order, and stumbles upon the world of beauty that finally offers her the opportunity to reach her true beauty potential.
This book was weird, riveting, and sharp all in one. I think the commentary about the beauty industry and how fixated we as a society are on looks is spot on. Belle does not feel beautiful, and she is willing to spare no expense when it comes to buying any and all serums, lotions, or other fads to try to make herself beautiful. The transformative spa, La Maison de Méduse, is equal parts dark and beautiful. The promises the people at this spa make are outlandish, but for someone so desperate to be beautiful, their promises are tantalizing.
I felt like I did not know what was going on half of the time, and I loved every second of it. Watching Belle's descent into obsession and witnessing her loss of self was like watching a car wreck. I wanted to scream at Belle to step back and see what was going on, but this was a listen she had to learn on her own.
The ultimate reveal about what was going on was entirely entertaining. I did not anticipate how everything would play out and how Belle's story would come to a resolution, but I was very pleased with where the story ultimately went.
I am so excited that I loved this book so much, and I am looking forward to seeing what Mona Awad writes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Mental illness and Death of parent
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