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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Miscarriage
Minor: Pregnancy
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Mild spoilers contained herein:
Truly one of my all-time favorite books. Possibly THE all-time favorite. I read it at least once a year and have lost count of my total reads. It's not one of those where I "find something new every time." It's one where I feel I'm slipping completely into another world that I know, fear, and adore; at once comforting and fascinatingly uncomfortable.
Olympia's voice is singular and mesmerizing, whether she's detailing the bizarre, almost unfathomable appeal of Arty, the shame of her lustful, vengeful feelings, or her pride in (and fear of) her own daughter. She doesn't shy away from detailing the despicable things she's done, is doing, or plans to do. She's honest. She's amazing. She's human.
The story is, on the surface, about "freaks." But at the heart of it, it's just about a family. Granted, it's a hyper-dysfunctional one, but still, just a family, complete with love, hate, loyalty, rivalry, and plenty of darkness, loss, pain, and hilarity.
This book dives into the human experience, from familial relations to the dark side of the human psyche to the greater societal mores, with special focus on the longing for acceptance and admiration, the need for guidance and meaning, and the morass of beauty standards that attempt to define us all.
It's not for everyone (but what ever is?), but I find it remarkable, every time I read it. Aside from the completely original story and characters, the writing itself is evocative and beautiful and brutal.
I always find myself falling in love with Oly. She's strong yet vulnerable, intelligent but bone-headedly human and stupid, full of love and protective instincts, capable of violence and deceit.
The story is twisted: once you think you've got a handle on what's going on; once you think you have an idea of what's to come, a violent u-turn takes your feet from you and you're pulled along in a completely different, darker, more fascinating direction.
Geek Love is a modern masterpiece, and I recommend it to (almost) every-damn-one.
Truly one of my all-time favorite books. Possibly THE all-time favorite. I read it at least once a year and have lost count of my total reads. It's not one of those where I "find something new every time." It's one where I feel I'm slipping completely into another world that I know, fear, and adore; at once comforting and fascinatingly uncomfortable.
Olympia's voice is singular and mesmerizing, whether she's detailing the bizarre, almost unfathomable appeal of Arty, the shame of her lustful, vengeful feelings, or her pride in (and fear of) her own daughter. She doesn't shy away from detailing the despicable things she's done, is doing, or plans to do. She's honest. She's amazing. She's human.
The story is, on the surface, about "freaks." But at the heart of it, it's just about a family. Granted, it's a hyper-dysfunctional one, but still, just a family, complete with love, hate, loyalty, rivalry, and plenty of darkness, loss, pain, and hilarity.
This book dives into the human experience, from familial relations to the dark side of the human psyche to the greater societal mores, with special focus on the longing for acceptance and admiration, the need for guidance and meaning, and the morass of beauty standards that attempt to define us all.
It's not for everyone (but what ever is?), but I find it remarkable, every time I read it. Aside from the completely original story and characters, the writing itself is evocative and beautiful and brutal.
I always find myself falling in love with Oly. She's strong yet vulnerable, intelligent but bone-headedly human and stupid, full of love and protective instincts, capable of violence and deceit.
The story is twisted: once you think you've got a handle on what's going on; once you think you have an idea of what's to come, a violent u-turn takes your feet from you and you're pulled along in a completely different, darker, more fascinating direction.
Geek Love is a modern masterpiece, and I recommend it to (almost) every-damn-one.
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow. This book was a beautiful and grotesque experience. It's not horror in the sense of being scary or feeling dread - instead there are unusual and sometimes shocking situations described in a very well-written autobiographical tone. Themes of family, empathy, being "normal," and power struggles. Several scenes will stay with me for a long time, highly recommended if the description sounds good to you!
I think this was an interesting and kind-of intense book. It isn't what I expected, I got just based on liking the title, but it was worth the journey. Parts of it were a little uncomfortable for me content wise
Wild ride, literally got no idea how I felt about this except that I have truly NEVER read a book with themes remotely similar. I took a big break in the middle of reading because I was going on a holiday where I wanted to relax and not think about voluntary bodily mutilation, and I think the break meant I forgot the first half of the plot and so found myself having to harken back as I was in the closing chapters.
I will say that the last maybe 30 pages were definitely the best bit and I'm glad I persevered because some juicy stuff happened in there.
Struggling to give it a star rating as I have no idea how I feel.
I will say that the last maybe 30 pages were definitely the best bit and I'm glad I persevered because some juicy stuff happened in there.
Struggling to give it a star rating as I have no idea how I feel.
Huge fan of the writing style. Interesting story and characters!