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starryybella's review against another edition
- 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
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.
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
ghromidko's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
tawny0wl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence
aquaria127's review against another edition
- 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
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
- 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
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
maddyisnotilliterate's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism and Sexual harassment
froggybooks's review against another edition
- 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
2.0
i usually love unlikeable and male manipulator characters but it was just so meh. boring i wanted more but then also if there was more i probably would of dnf :/
Graphic: Gaslighting, Alcoholism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
nomey's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Sexism and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, and Violence
kirstybaxter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Violence, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Minor: Rape
ella_mai_46's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Addiction, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Fatphobia, Cursing, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
don’t read it