What the community thinks
summary of 35 ratings (see reviews)
Content warnings
Graphic
Rape (8 reviewers), Alcoholism (7 reviewers), Self harm (7 reviewers), Emotional abuse (5 reviewers), Eating disorder (4 reviewers), Sexual content (4 reviewers), Toxic relationship (4 reviewers), Infidelity (3 reviewers), Sexual assault (3 reviewers), Sexual violence (3 reviewers), Mental illness (2 reviewers), Physical abuse (2 reviewers), Addiction (1 reviewer), Body shaming (1 reviewer), Domestic abuse (1 reviewer), Misogyny (1 reviewer), and Panic attacks/disorders (1 reviewer)Moderate
Rape (3 reviewers), Self harm (3 reviewers), Body shaming (2 reviewers), Eating disorder (2 reviewers), Animal death (1 reviewer), Fatphobia (1 reviewer), Sexual assault (1 reviewer), and Sexual violence (1 reviewer)Minor
Suicide (1 reviewer)Moods
emotional 88%
reflective 69%
sad 57%
tense 42%
challenging 26%
funny 7%
hopeful 3%
Pace
fast 29%
slow 12%
Plot- or character-driven?
Character: 95% | A mix: 4%Strong character development?
Yes: 56% | It's complicated: 39% | No: 4%Loveable characters?
It's complicated: 50% | No: 36% | Yes: 13%Diverse cast of characters?
No: 95% | N/A: 4%Flaws of characters a main focus?
Yes: 95% | It's complicated: 4%Average rating
Buy Acts of Desperation
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Part breathless confession, part lucid critique, Acts of Desperation renders a consciousness split between rebellion and submission, between escaping degradation and eroticizing it, between loving and being lovable. With unsettling, electric precision, Nolan dissects one of life's most elusive mysteries: Why do we want what we want, and how do we want it?
Combining the intellectual excitement of Rachel Cusk with the emotional rawness of Elena Ferrante, Acts of Desperation interrogates the nature of desire, power, and toxic relationships, challenging us to reckon honestly with our own insatiability.
Buy Acts of Desperation
United States
Bookshop US
Other countries
Bookshop UK
Blackwell's
The StoryGraph is an affiliate of the featured links. We earn commission on any purchases made.
Part breathless confession, part lucid critique, Acts of Desperation renders a consciousness split between rebellion and submission, between escaping degradation and eroticizing it, between loving and being lovable. With unsettling, electric precision, Nolan dissects one of life's most elusive mysteries: Why do we want what we want, and how do we want it?
Combining the intellectual excitement of Rachel Cusk with the emotional rawness of Elena Ferrante, Acts of Desperation interrogates the nature of desire, power, and toxic relationships, challenging us to reckon honestly with our own insatiability.
What the community thinks
summary of 35 ratings (see reviews)
Content warnings
Graphic
Rape (8 reviewers), Alcoholism (7 reviewers), Self harm (7 reviewers), Emotional abuse (5 reviewers), Eating disorder (4 reviewers), Sexual content (4 reviewers), Toxic relationship (4 reviewers), Infidelity (3 reviewers), Sexual assault (3 reviewers), Sexual violence (3 reviewers), Mental illness (2 reviewers), Physical abuse (2 reviewers), Addiction (1 reviewer), Body shaming (1 reviewer), Domestic abuse (1 reviewer), Misogyny (1 reviewer), and Panic attacks/disorders (1 reviewer)Moderate
Rape (3 reviewers), Self harm (3 reviewers), Body shaming (2 reviewers), Eating disorder (2 reviewers), Animal death (1 reviewer), Fatphobia (1 reviewer), Sexual assault (1 reviewer), and Sexual violence (1 reviewer)Minor
Suicide (1 reviewer)Moods
emotional 88%
reflective 69%
sad 57%
tense 42%
challenging 26%
funny 7%
hopeful 3%
Pace
fast 29%
slow 12%
Plot- or character-driven?
Character: 95% | A mix: 4%Strong character development?
Yes: 56% | It's complicated: 39% | No: 4%Loveable characters?
It's complicated: 50% | No: 36% | Yes: 13%Diverse cast of characters?
No: 95% | N/A: 4%Flaws of characters a main focus?
Yes: 95% | It's complicated: 4%Average rating