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thepiqht's review against another edition
4.0
Sophie Stark has changed her name. When she was much younger, she was a strange, constantly bullied kid named Emily Buckley. Now that she's an adult, she's no less strange but she is struggling to come to terms with it. Trying to understand what makes other people tick, and figure out how best to mimic this. How best to fit in.
She never quite succeeds in her endeavor. I'm not going to write too much about the plot, for fear of spoilers, but this book does what I love best in all books – character studies and exploration. The story is told from 4+ perspectives, so the readers are able to get an insight into a manipulative, confused and broken young woman, who doesn't quite understand the world that she lives in.
Anna North gives the readers a paradox in which you might find yourself hating the main character, but at the same time feel as though she deserves to be coddled, petted on the head and told that everything is going to be alright. She's terrible in the way that she handles others, but doesn't seem to realise what she's doing, while she's doing it. Her bemused nature replicates that of a child stuck in an adult body.
The writing was lovely. Really easy to get through, and it keeps you engaged throughout. I'm not sure whether the story was simply short, or if it just felt like that because of how quick paced the writing is. There were nice stylistic things as well, like how at the end of nearly each point of view, a review of Sophie's latest movie was written. By the same man, mind you, but it gives the readers a perspective on how outsiders saw her and the opportunity to compare that to how those who truly knew her, saw her.
I don't quite know what I should rate this. The book wasn't bad, so I'm not going to rate it lower than three stars, I feel as though I should rate it five stars but I don't think that it really had all the big of an impact on me. It was just . . . good. Plain and simple. Good.
She never quite succeeds in her endeavor. I'm not going to write too much about the plot, for fear of spoilers, but this book does what I love best in all books – character studies and exploration. The story is told from 4+ perspectives, so the readers are able to get an insight into a manipulative, confused and broken young woman, who doesn't quite understand the world that she lives in.
Anna North gives the readers a paradox in which you might find yourself hating the main character, but at the same time feel as though she deserves to be coddled, petted on the head and told that everything is going to be alright. She's terrible in the way that she handles others, but doesn't seem to realise what she's doing, while she's doing it. Her bemused nature replicates that of a child stuck in an adult body.
The writing was lovely. Really easy to get through, and it keeps you engaged throughout. I'm not sure whether the story was simply short, or if it just felt like that because of how quick paced the writing is. There were nice stylistic things as well, like how at the end of nearly each point of view, a review of Sophie's latest movie was written. By the same man, mind you, but it gives the readers a perspective on how outsiders saw her and the opportunity to compare that to how those who truly knew her, saw her.
I don't quite know what I should rate this. The book wasn't bad, so I'm not going to rate it lower than three stars, I feel as though I should rate it five stars but I don't think that it really had all the big of an impact on me. It was just . . . good. Plain and simple. Good.
katieparker's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Yes. Can we get more books out there like this? I'm a slow reader, and the fact that I finished it in less than 24 hours is a testament to how riveting it is.
The novel tells the story of Sophie Stark, a young director who leaves an indelible mark on those around her. Told of the perspective of the people she somehow connected to despite her struggles to relate to others, the narrative spans from college, when her brother helped her with her first film, through her rise to notoriety. Each of these sections are captivating, both in subject and writing style, especially the first, which sets the tone well and made it very hard to put down late at night. Parts seem rather stream-of-conscious-like, pulling the reader in through vaguely-related tangents that made me feel more connected to the characters.
Definitely read this if you're at a loss for what to read next, especially if you're looking to explore some of this year's future contenders for various book prizes.
"I thought making movies would make me more like other people," said Sophie. "But sometimes I think it just makes me even more like me."
The novel tells the story of Sophie Stark, a young director who leaves an indelible mark on those around her. Told of the perspective of the people she somehow connected to despite her struggles to relate to others, the narrative spans from college, when her brother helped her with her first film, through her rise to notoriety. Each of these sections are captivating, both in subject and writing style, especially the first, which sets the tone well and made it very hard to put down late at night. Parts seem rather stream-of-conscious-like, pulling the reader in through vaguely-related tangents that made me feel more connected to the characters.
Definitely read this if you're at a loss for what to read next, especially if you're looking to explore some of this year's future contenders for various book prizes.
meganpalmer731's review against another edition
4.0
Well-written novel tying together multiple perspectives on a complicated subject character. Definitely thought-provoking.
jchristen's review against another edition
4.0
fascinating fast-paced story. Sophie Stark as the enigmatic main character, kept me interested in what relationship she could mess up next.
youreadtoomuch's review against another edition
3.0
There was something so beautiful getting to know Sophie Stark through the lives she touched. Does that mean she was a nice person? No. Neither did she deserve the unconditional love some people gave her. It speaks to how silly humans are. Our capacity to love is tricky and illogical. How fun.
This book felt so real in a way I can't understand and surprisingly very sad. Though I expected it to be. But I needed to love Sophie, and unlike everyone in the book, I didn't but she was a fascinating character to learn. And that's was the captivation that keeps readers hooked.
This book felt so real in a way I can't understand and surprisingly very sad. Though I expected it to be. But I needed to love Sophie, and unlike everyone in the book, I didn't but she was a fascinating character to learn. And that's was the captivation that keeps readers hooked.
katdid's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this! A great character study. (Sidenote: I was kind of baffled how Allison always managed to be in relationships.)
punkydory's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 -- Filmmaker, Sophie Stark's story is told by the people who were profoundly impacted by the part she played in their lives. The chapters were each from a different POV, and actually read more like short stories. From the start, I was sure that I had Sophie figured out; but, as each person delved deeper, sharing her story and their own, I became less and less sure. Nothing was black and white, and the complexity of each character was revealed slowly and masterfully. I think that the one thing that I took away from the book, was that it's never possible to truly and completely know another person. I know how sad that may sound, and that Sophie was even more of a mystery than most; however, North wrote perfectly about people's imperfect connections and search for understanding.
donnereads's review against another edition
My favourite book of all time is The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid and this book had similar vibes for me. I love the concept of following a mysterious, intriguing, complex female character all through out her life. Sophie Stark is exactly that. You’re constantly trying to make sense of who she is as a character and why she acts the way she does and makes the choices that she makes. The idea of it being told not through her but through the people closest to her was really smart and cool. This was a super unique book that I would definitely pick up if the concept sounds good to you.
its_me_mar_p's review against another edition
5.0
Okay, well I loved this book but also it's terrible and sad. It's about a queer young filmmaker, it's an outcast story I guess, and it doesn't have a happy ending.
chills_multiply's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0