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withlivjones's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Reading this felt like watching reality TV. Unfortunately, I don’t like watching reality TV.
The premise was very intriguing, and I am generally a fan of unlikeable characters. I really liked the commentary on race and class at first, but eventually it started to sound like Patel was saying the same thing each time in very slightly different ways. The prose reads like slam poetry at times and jury’s still out on whether or not I enjoyed it. I did laugh at a few of the chapter titles, though, they felt very Tumblr-esque. I see myself potentially returning to this book in the future in case I missed the hype the first time around.
The premise was very intriguing, and I am generally a fan of unlikeable characters. I really liked the commentary on race and class at first, but eventually it started to sound like Patel was saying the same thing each time in very slightly different ways. The prose reads like slam poetry at times and jury’s still out on whether or not I enjoyed it. I did laugh at a few of the chapter titles, though, they felt very Tumblr-esque. I see myself potentially returning to this book in the future in case I missed the hype the first time around.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Racism and Sexism
floatinthevoid's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
It tried.
There are some aspects that I really like, but there are more aspects that disappoint my expectation.
I like the overly specific description of luxury things. Or the jab at wealthy white public figures' hypocrisy, or the exploration between themes like power, intimacy, obsession, algorithm, privilege, etc.
But.
The social commentary itself doesn't feel natural to me, because instead of trying to incorporate those social themes in the story, the author instead write it like a punch line in an article of essay with an overtly quirky choice of words that doesn't make sense.
Also, I know that an unreliable narrator often use inconsistency to entice the reader what's real or not. But there's a big gap in between the plot that feels too jarring.
I agree with other reviewers that it's a bit repetitive. The ending is unsatisfactory too to say the least.
So take it with a grain of salt whatever people say about this book.
There are some aspects that I really like, but there are more aspects that disappoint my expectation.
I like the overly specific description of luxury things. Or the jab at wealthy white public figures' hypocrisy, or the exploration between themes like power, intimacy, obsession, algorithm, privilege, etc.
But.
The social commentary itself doesn't feel natural to me, because instead of trying to incorporate those social themes in the story, the author instead write it like a punch line in an article of essay with an overtly quirky choice of words that doesn't make sense.
Also, I know that an unreliable narrator often use inconsistency to entice the reader what's real or not. But there's a big gap in between the plot that feels too jarring.
I agree with other reviewers that it's a bit repetitive. The ending is unsatisfactory too to say the least.
So take it with a grain of salt whatever people say about this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Mental illness
Moderate: Violence and Toxic relationship
Minor: Physical abuse
d0mpl1ng's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
laurataylor's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Alcohol
iarinas'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? It's complicated
2.5
There was potential, but ultimately I was extremely bored and annoyed by the characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse and Emotional abuse
feebles640's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Moderate: Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Classism, Emotional abuse, and Racism
sushmita_reads's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This was such an exhausting repetitive read. Even though it is first-person, I feel that the character is split into two voices. One is very observant when it comes to classism, racism, social media and neoliberalism and there are some really astute bits of writing. That's 20% of the book at best. However 80%.. is about a desperate creepy abusive woman who says the same thing again and again about her lover and one of his girlfriends. At first it's OK, but I had to force myself to finish this book. It's the same stuff in different words and really tiring to read, story goes nowhere
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
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