Reviews with content warning for Body horror - Boy Parts

Reviews tagging 'Body horror'

Boy Parts by Eliza Clark

200 reviews

lovegriefandgender's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is, and I do not say this lightly, the single most terrifying book I've ever read — if only because I caught myself mid-laugh gasping in horror.

Content Warnings

laurataylor's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

merlinduh's review against another edition

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dark 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

3.0

Content Warnings

emilyrowanstudio's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.75

Boy Parts was deliciously uncomfortable to read. Gruesome, hilarious, jaw-dropping, and did any of it really happen? Protagonist Irina is deeply unlikeable but equally addictive. The term 'unreliable narrator' could well have been made for her, and the extent of which you find this out as the novel goes on is truly chilling.

The social commentary here is fab, the one liners are laugh-out-loud funny, and the characters intentionally cringe. Scathing and brilliant British references are peppered throughout the book, from a friend's ex being described as "this NME-cut-out, landfill-indie looking c*nt with a porkpie hat and a huge fringe", to a character only ever referred to as "Eddie from Tesco".

The way in which the male gaze is flipped to that of a femme fatale in Boy Parts is so readable, Irina using her own fetishitic gaze to scrutizine in detail everyone she meets. Those interested in the arts and/or Photography (as I am) will surely enjoy the critique of the art world running through the book, from the North/South divide and privilege, to how Irina both plays and transgresses the system. She is one sly, shady lady.

I marked this down from 5 stars because of a 50 page drug bender towards the start of the book, the length of which didn't add much to the story. I much preferred the scouting for models, toxic dates, and exhibition prep which thankfully take up the majority of the book.

A dark, twisted, and violent book, one you'll simply click with or you won't. One Goodreads reviewer dubbed it "American Psycho for hot girls". Hard recommend if any of the above sounds up your street.

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thaleiagreek's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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erenreads's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

to the halfway point it was a 3 stars

around 75% it became a 4.

and at the end it’s such an easy 5 star book.

i don’t even want to comment on it, it’s disturbing and impactful.

holy fuck.

edit: back down to 4 stars sorry babes

Content Warnings

mrrmadi's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Eliza Clark has created a sickening masterpiece. This book has me in an absolute chokehold, and I don’t even know how to begin to describe it without sounding like a pretentious maniac. Clark’s writing style is an acquired taste, but I devoured it whole.

Our main character, Irina, is an absolute c*nt, in the foulest sense of the word. She’s vile, manipulative, selfish, aggravating — and yet, utterly addictive. The way she views others as pawns for her own amusement is captivatingly cruel. Her best friend, for lack of a better word, is wrapped around her finger tighter than the waist trainer Irina wears. Her art feels accessible and yet utterly depraved. And the individuals who hold Irina’s heart only do so because she allows them to. Clark takes our typical gender roles and flips them upside down and inside out, without making this reversal come off as cliché.

I can’t even attempt to summarize this book’s plot without giving away the beauty of it, so I’ll let you dip your toes into that pool. But, this book is not for the faint of heart. A note: please read any and ALL trigger warnings for this book: a few include sexual assault, disordered eating, racism, sexual violence, body horror, and adult-minor relationships. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Progress at your own risk (although you won’t regret it) if you choose to peruse Clark’s debut.

Also — don’t watch Irina’s movie recommendations.

Content Warnings