Scan barcode
mikatack's review
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting and Toxic relationship
toofondofbooks_'s review
dark
emotional
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
4.0
This book was exhausting because the main character is quite literally so obsessed with her husband that it has the tendency to make the reader feel sick. She puts him over everything, even their children. I thought it was so interesting reading her perspective and I simultaneously felt empathy for her and blind rage, which I think is a mark of good characterization. There's also a little surprise that took me OUT. But I can't really talk about that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Sexual content, Cursing, Alcohol, Fatphobia, and Misogyny
Moderate: Cancer, Injury/Injury detail, Incest, and Blood
Minor: Child death and Death
savviecake's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
mikaylachavez's review
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
vbarsi's review
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Minor: Emotional abuse
celestebest53's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
3.25
very fun just lacking depth
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Infidelity, and Sexual content
megwilli's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
ruthypoo2's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
I think it's fair to say I mostly enjoyed the first half of the book, listening to the stream of consciousness of what seems to be a self-tortured woman who is devoted to her husband in a way that I would describe as pathological. Despite this woman constantly twisting herself into knots and beating up on herself, I was intrigued to find out where the story was going because listening to her constant critical evaluation of her life and her husband's behavior was entertaining... until it started to become tedious and unattractive.
The main character of the story has what many would characterize as an enviable life, being married to a wealthy and successful man and living a posh lifestyle. But I can only take so much of a manic personality that's laced with heavy doses of what seems to be absurdly unhealthy self-recrimination. I stuck with this book and followed the main character down an ugly rabbit hole hoping there would be a destination, or satisfying landing point, that rewarded me with some kind of emotional payoff. I did not feel rewarded when I got to the end of the main character's story arc.
I will admit the twist at the end caught me off guard and it was a nice little sleight of hand by the author. Unfortunately, for me, by the time I turned the last page, metaphorically speaking, I was not a happy camper and could only shake my head. I will concede that many readers have been delighted with the story and resolution contained in this book, it just wasn't my cup of tea. Granted, the writing/translation is well done, but the story just did not do it for me.
I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narrator, Kiiri Sandy. The main character does not have an easy or pleasant personality to present to the reader and despite that, Ms. Sandy made the story infinitely more digestible than if I'd read it on the page and had to come up with a voice for this character in my head.
The main character of the story has what many would characterize as an enviable life, being married to a wealthy and successful man and living a posh lifestyle. But I can only take so much of a manic personality that's laced with heavy doses of what seems to be absurdly unhealthy self-recrimination. I stuck with this book and followed the main character down an ugly rabbit hole hoping there would be a destination, or satisfying landing point, that rewarded me with some kind of emotional payoff. I did not feel rewarded when I got to the end of the main character's story arc.
I will admit the twist at the end caught me off guard and it was a nice little sleight of hand by the author. Unfortunately, for me, by the time I turned the last page, metaphorically speaking, I was not a happy camper and could only shake my head. I will concede that many readers have been delighted with the story and resolution contained in this book, it just wasn't my cup of tea. Granted, the writing/translation is well done, but the story just did not do it for me.
I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narrator, Kiiri Sandy. The main character does not have an easy or pleasant personality to present to the reader and despite that, Ms. Sandy made the story infinitely more digestible than if I'd read it on the page and had to come up with a voice for this character in my head.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity and Emotional abuse
Minor: Stalking, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Mental illness
beeeenerys's review against another edition
tense
fast-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
4.5
I was hoping for a bit of spousal murdering but that didn't happen, that's the only thing that let me down. Without spoiling anything I'll say, she and her husband are perfect for each other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Gaslighting