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16rcampbell's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
It was such a slog getting through this book. The main character Nora’s choices are so dumb and cringey. I understand doing things out of desperation but every choice she made was the wrong one, at some point I’m no longer rooting for her.
The love interest was flat, one-dimensional, and boring. He’s happy and positive all the time and that’s all there is to him.
Instead of being either (a) an escapist love story between a cynic and a perpetual optimist or (b) an in-depth commentary/exposé on the sexism, racism, and feelings of inferiority, insignificance and hopelessness inextricably tied into capitalism, this book forces you to experience the grueling day-to-day feelings of working in a mind numbing capitalist society in a way no different than what you’re already doing everyday. I don’t learn anything from this book and I don’t enjoy it - why is it worth reading? It’s not. This book is essentially too grounded in reality. It’s tiring - exhausting, really - and there’s no sense of triumph or success by the time you get to the end. I hardly feel like Nora grows at all. The love interest felt forced and kind of felt like click-bait. There was no spark between them.
My main issue with this book is that there is absolutely no warning or hint that the main character may struggle with (cw) suicide ideation. This book is presented as a happy, quirky story where a girl finds her way in life and might fall in love with handsome, caring man - right down to the bright colors and cutesie art style of the cover. It is not that at all. Had I known that, I would not have picked this book up. I found myself skipping several pages because the suicide ideation was written about at length, and it popped up frequently in the story. Not only that, but her suicide ideation is “resolved,” essentially, by one guy telling her to be happy and do happy things? If this story was meant to spread awareness or help with ending suicide, it should have included resources for people to go to, the main character should have been encouraged, at least ONCE, to go to therapy, and it would not have been presented in such a carefree manner. It is dangerous to have your character resolve her problems by relying on a single person’s input, which creates an unhealthy relationship dynamic and unrealistic expectations for anyone who reads this book and relates to Nora.
This story was irresponsible, but even if the suicidal ideation was excluded, it still wouldn’t have been worth a higher rating. The writing is monotonous, the main character is tragically boring, and there’s no payoff for reading.
The love interest was flat, one-dimensional, and boring. He’s happy and positive all the time and that’s all there is to him.
Instead of being either (a) an escapist love story between a cynic and a perpetual optimist or (b) an in-depth commentary/exposé on the sexism, racism, and feelings of inferiority, insignificance and hopelessness inextricably tied into capitalism, this book forces you to experience the grueling day-to-day feelings of working in a mind numbing capitalist society in a way no different than what you’re already doing everyday. I don’t learn anything from this book and I don’t enjoy it - why is it worth reading? It’s not. This book is essentially too grounded in reality. It’s tiring - exhausting, really - and there’s no sense of triumph or success by the time you get to the end. I hardly feel like Nora grows at all. The love interest felt forced and kind of felt like click-bait. There was no spark between them.
My main issue with this book is that there is absolutely no warning or hint that the main character may struggle with (cw) suicide ideation. This book is presented as a happy, quirky story where a girl finds her way in life and might fall in love with handsome, caring man - right down to the bright colors and cutesie art style of the cover. It is not that at all. Had I known that, I would not have picked this book up. I found myself skipping several pages because the suicide ideation was written about at length, and it popped up frequently in the story. Not only that, but her suicide ideation is “resolved,” essentially, by one guy telling her to be happy and do happy things? If this story was meant to spread awareness or help with ending suicide, it should have included resources for people to go to, the main character should have been encouraged, at least ONCE, to go to therapy, and it would not have been presented in such a carefree manner. It is dangerous to have your character resolve her problems by relying on a single person’s input, which creates an unhealthy relationship dynamic and unrealistic expectations for anyone who reads this book and relates to Nora.
This story was irresponsible, but even if the suicidal ideation was excluded, it still wouldn’t have been worth a higher rating. The writing is monotonous, the main character is tragically boring, and there’s no payoff for reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Classism, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism
Minor: Toxic relationship
The main character has multiple consecutive pages talking about suicide and suicidal intent, and comes up unexpectedly in the story.
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