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real_vivi's review against another edition
reflective
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
2.5
I hate the main character... That's it. If you relate in any way please get some help
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Addiction
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexism, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Gaslighting, and Misogyny
Minor: Vomit and Suicidal thoughts
starryybella's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
Yes, I caved. I read one of the most unrecommended books out there. The curiosity was killing me to read it.
And honestly? I don't regret reading it, as stomach-knotting as it was.
As the trigger warnings can tell you, it's one of the most vulgar books I've ever read. It's definitely up there with "American Psycho" by Bret Easton Ellis.
I feel like it's safe to compare the narrator/author to Patrick Bateman in some aspects, speaking of "American Psycho", except the narrator is much more in touch with the world around him and doesn't have an urge to *physically* hurt. But he does not have any true emotions like love or compassion for others, as well as struggling with alcoholism. He doesn't have much remorse for his actions either, as he clearly states in the first page.
The book, as people have probably heard, is most famous for its first lines: "I like hurting girls. Emotionally, not physically. I've never hit a girl in my life. Well, once. But that was a mistake. I'll tell you about it later. The thing is, I got off on it. I really enjoyed it." (1)
And news flash: I'm one of those readers who gets either pulled in immediately by the first page or just puts off reading the book until later if it doesn't captivate me or pique interest immediately.
I didn't enjoy the book because of its content. I'd be insane if I did, but not to say you are if you did enjoy the content (kind of…).
The sole reason I enjoyed it was because I'm someone who likes psychoanalyzing characters, even if the character is meant to be horrible. That's what brings fun back into the book for me and makes me be able to stand it. Otherwise, I'd probably be in the category of the faint-hearted that would hate this book because of how awful the content of it is.
It's written well, once you get beyond the fact he's a rotten human being. I also just sat through the sex scenes and read them to get past them.
It is satisfying to get to the ending, although I wish he got more of what he deserved. I did have to read it twice to fully understand it but it left me with more questions - hence, my currently reading the sequel.
It rambles on at times and goes on tangents - it sometimes be difficult to understand or to keep track of the plot. However, insight into his mental state of mind made this book enjoyable and I wouldn't take out anything, except for a couple of churning depictions of hurting women or sex scenes I would have rather not read.
Do not eat if you're reading this book. It churned my stomach at some points and I definitely believe this book is not for everyone.
And honestly? I don't regret reading it, as stomach-knotting as it was.
As the trigger warnings can tell you, it's one of the most vulgar books I've ever read. It's definitely up there with "American Psycho" by Bret Easton Ellis.
I feel like it's safe to compare the narrator/author to Patrick Bateman in some aspects, speaking of "American Psycho", except the narrator is much more in touch with the world around him and doesn't have an urge to *physically* hurt. But he does not have any true emotions like love or compassion for others, as well as struggling with alcoholism. He doesn't have much remorse for his actions either, as he clearly states in the first page.
The book, as people have probably heard, is most famous for its first lines: "I like hurting girls. Emotionally, not physically. I've never hit a girl in my life. Well, once. But that was a mistake. I'll tell you about it later. The thing is, I got off on it. I really enjoyed it." (1)
And news flash: I'm one of those readers who gets either pulled in immediately by the first page or just puts off reading the book until later if it doesn't captivate me or pique interest immediately.
I didn't enjoy the book because of its content. I'd be insane if I did, but not to say you are if you did enjoy the content (kind of…).
The sole reason I enjoyed it was because I'm someone who likes psychoanalyzing characters, even if the character is meant to be horrible. That's what brings fun back into the book for me and makes me be able to stand it. Otherwise, I'd probably be in the category of the faint-hearted that would hate this book because of how awful the content of it is.
It's written well, once you get beyond the fact he's a rotten human being. I also just sat through the sex scenes and read them to get past them.
It is satisfying to get to the ending, although I wish he got more of what he deserved. I did have to read it twice to fully understand it but it left me with more questions - hence, my currently reading the sequel.
It rambles on at times and goes on tangents - it sometimes be difficult to understand or to keep track of the plot. However, insight into his mental state of mind made this book enjoyable and I wouldn't take out anything, except for a couple of churning depictions of hurting women or sex scenes I would have rather not read.
Do not eat if you're reading this book. It churned my stomach at some points and I definitely believe this book is not for everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Body shaming, Bullying, and Cursing
Moderate: Pedophilia
honeybunchesofoats06's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
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
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Bullying, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Cursing, Grief, and Sexism
villainizer's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
everyone keeps talking about how there’s no ‘hopeful’ ending for this book, or no tragic-hero-comes-and-saves-the-day outcome. what they fail to realise, however, is that book (which is somewhat an autobiography) was meant to show the ways & perspectives of a fucked-up mind. it was never supposed to be ‘pretty’.
sure, it’s misogyny piled on top of each other, and maybe even something born from a particularly bad case of paranoia (which the author himself keeps repeatedly mentioning he has), but my interpretation of this book says that there isn’t supposed to be a sad or a happy ending. just an ending. revenge & retribution. tit for tat. a story about a man who faced karmic justice for all his wrongdoings.
i gave it a 3.5 because at the end, the protagonist is so comedically unlikeable that you can’t stop reading the book. it’s one satirical, fucked-up ride, which is what i think makes it such an interesting read.
sure, it’s misogyny piled on top of each other, and maybe even something born from a particularly bad case of paranoia (which the author himself keeps repeatedly mentioning he has), but my interpretation of this book says that there isn’t supposed to be a sad or a happy ending. just an ending. revenge & retribution. tit for tat. a story about a man who faced karmic justice for all his wrongdoings.
i gave it a 3.5 because at the end, the protagonist is so comedically unlikeable that you can’t stop reading the book. it’s one satirical, fucked-up ride, which is what i think makes it such an interesting read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
chippedtooth's review against another edition
fast-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
2.25
i bought this book without reading the plot since i found its title to be captivating (adding this to the list of things i did on impulse and regretted later) and i now know why the author chose to stay unknown cause if i were them and wrote this i wouldn't say it out loud either
if i wanted to catch sight of a man being an asshole i could just take a walk around the city this book really doesn't need to exist
if i wanted to catch sight of a man being an asshole i could just take a walk around the city this book really doesn't need to exist
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Blood, Cursing, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, and Violence
romanysky's review against another edition
dark
fast-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Rape, and Toxic relationship
aquaria127's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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: Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Body shaming, Bullying, Death of parent, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, and Suicide
julianalynne's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
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
4.5
A really deep psychological stream of consciousness from a perceived protagonist with a mind comparable to that of a serial killer. I loved it, I loved trying to understand him, and I loved partially feeling a sort of relationship with him through his journey in recovery. Totally recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Addiction, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Body shaming, Cursing, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual content
nymnphi's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-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
1.0
i always like to extend benefit of the doubt to books that try their hardest to touch upon a niche genre, but this one was not it (and when this opinion is the popular one, you know something is up with the book).
to compare Diary of an Oxygen Thief to Lolita is like comparing a slice of cake to a charred cookie. yes, they are both baked goods in their own right, only one is enjoyable and a masterpiece in its own right.
never once did i ever find myself sympathizing with the narrator. he is a pretentious, hypocritical asshole who seems to think that a) acknowledging his faults makes him less of an asshole (it does not) and b) what happened to him at the climax + conclusion justifies the slew of women he psychologically tortured (it did not).
the phrase "hurt people hurt people" is used so much as a way to justify these misgivings that it ends up being an excuse rather than an explanation.
the ending fell flat for me. when the events at the bar concluded, i was genuinely left wondering what else was going to happen in the next five pages for me to feel even a sliver of remorse. i suppose there's another book for that, but the plot and characters were all just so bland and unlikeable there is zero chance anyone would pick up the next one. i remember laughing out loud at all the times he mentions the chance of the book being published. seriously, who approved this book?
tldr; this book is a romanticized account of a manipulative and abusive person who hurts people without remorse and paints himself as the victim (bullshit).
this is not a story of a damaged soul who needs to find love and heal and move on in a world that is against him, this is the story of a person that chooses to hurt people in retaliation for being damaged, and he wants you to feel sorry for him even though he never changes or shows an ounce of genuine remorse.
at least the title is accurate. this truly was the diary of someone who is stealing oxygen from those who deserve it.
to compare Diary of an Oxygen Thief to Lolita is like comparing a slice of cake to a charred cookie. yes, they are both baked goods in their own right, only one is enjoyable and a masterpiece in its own right.
never once did i ever find myself sympathizing with the narrator. he is a pretentious, hypocritical asshole who seems to think that a) acknowledging his faults makes him less of an asshole (it does not) and b) what happened to him at the climax + conclusion justifies the slew of women he psychologically tortured (it did not).
the phrase "hurt people hurt people" is used so much as a way to justify these misgivings that it ends up being an excuse rather than an explanation.
the ending fell flat for me. when the events at the bar concluded, i was genuinely left wondering what else was going to happen in the next five pages for me to feel even a sliver of remorse. i suppose there's another book for that, but the plot and characters were all just so bland and unlikeable there is zero chance anyone would pick up the next one. i remember laughing out loud at all the times he mentions the chance of the book being published. seriously, who approved this book?
tldr; this book is a romanticized account of a manipulative and abusive person who hurts people without remorse and paints himself as the victim (bullshit).
this is not a story of a damaged soul who needs to find love and heal and move on in a world that is against him, this is the story of a person that chooses to hurt people in retaliation for being damaged, and he wants you to feel sorry for him even though he never changes or shows an ounce of genuine remorse.
at least the title is accurate. this truly was the diary of someone who is stealing oxygen from those who deserve it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Sexism
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Alcoholism
Minor: Rape
chouchou's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
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
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Rape