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A review by contemporarymeepsie
Idol by Louise O'Neill
challenging
dark
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
4.0
Samantha Miller is a lifestyle guru, with millions of Instagram followers dedicated to praising her every move. But when she writes an essay about a formative sexual experience with her childhood best friend, her life take a turn when that ex-best friend emails her agent to say that isn't how she remembers it happening.
I enjoyed this book overall. I found the themes dark but very interesting. The protagonist, Sam, is famous for her work around the #MeToo movement saying all victims should be believed. But what happens when a victim claims SHE was the abuser? Who's truth is the real truth? That is such an interesting theme to write about and the author did such an incredible job of writing a dislikable character who gradually gets more and more manipulative as the story progresses. I tend to like unreliable narrators so this book was on for a winner, however there is a little bit of an unrealistic heel turn at the end. Which didn't sit right with me, which is why it dropped a point. I think it could have been polished a bit more to make the whole thing more believable and comprehensive. But overall I enjoyed my time with this book and I might read it again.
I enjoyed this book overall. I found the themes dark but very interesting. The protagonist, Sam, is famous for her work around the #MeToo movement saying all victims should be believed. But what happens when a victim claims SHE was the abuser? Who's truth is the real truth? That is such an interesting theme to write about and the author did such an incredible job of writing a dislikable character who gradually gets more and more manipulative as the story progresses. I tend to like unreliable narrators so this book was on for a winner, however there is a little bit of an unrealistic heel turn at the end. Which didn't sit right with me, which is why it dropped a point. I think it could have been polished a bit more to make the whole thing more believable and comprehensive. But overall I enjoyed my time with this book and I might read it again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Sexual assault, and Addiction
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Toxic friendship, Eating disorder, and Body shaming
Minor: Gaslighting, Dementia, and Abortion