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A review by nymnphi
Diary of an Oxygen Thief by Anonymous
dark
tense
slow-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? Yes
1.0
i always like to extend benefit of the doubt to books that try their hardest to touch upon a niche genre, but this one was not it (and when this opinion is the popular one, you know something is up with the book).
to compare Diary of an Oxygen Thief to Lolita is like comparing a slice of cake to a charred cookie. yes, they are both baked goods in their own right, only one is enjoyable and a masterpiece in its own right.
never once did i ever find myself sympathizing with the narrator. he is a pretentious, hypocritical asshole who seems to think that a) acknowledging his faults makes him less of an asshole (it does not) and b) what happened to him at the climax + conclusion justifies the slew of women he psychologically tortured (it did not).
the phrase "hurt people hurt people" is used so much as a way to justify these misgivings that it ends up being an excuse rather than an explanation.
the ending fell flat for me. when the events at the bar concluded, i was genuinely left wondering what else was going to happen in the next five pages for me to feel even a sliver of remorse. i suppose there's another book for that, but the plot and characters were all just so bland and unlikeable there is zero chance anyone would pick up the next one. i remember laughing out loud at all the times he mentions the chance of the book being published. seriously, who approved this book?
tldr; this book is a romanticized account of a manipulative and abusive person who hurts people without remorse and paints himself as the victim (bullshit).
this is not a story of a damaged soul who needs to find love and heal and move on in a world that is against him, this is the story of a person that chooses to hurt people in retaliation for being damaged, and he wants you to feel sorry for him even though he never changes or shows an ounce of genuine remorse.
at least the title is accurate. this truly was the diary of someone who is stealing oxygen from those who deserve it.
to compare Diary of an Oxygen Thief to Lolita is like comparing a slice of cake to a charred cookie. yes, they are both baked goods in their own right, only one is enjoyable and a masterpiece in its own right.
never once did i ever find myself sympathizing with the narrator. he is a pretentious, hypocritical asshole who seems to think that a) acknowledging his faults makes him less of an asshole (it does not) and b) what happened to him at the climax + conclusion justifies the slew of women he psychologically tortured (it did not).
the phrase "hurt people hurt people" is used so much as a way to justify these misgivings that it ends up being an excuse rather than an explanation.
the ending fell flat for me. when the events at the bar concluded, i was genuinely left wondering what else was going to happen in the next five pages for me to feel even a sliver of remorse. i suppose there's another book for that, but the plot and characters were all just so bland and unlikeable there is zero chance anyone would pick up the next one. i remember laughing out loud at all the times he mentions the chance of the book being published. seriously, who approved this book?
tldr; this book is a romanticized account of a manipulative and abusive person who hurts people without remorse and paints himself as the victim (bullshit).
this is not a story of a damaged soul who needs to find love and heal and move on in a world that is against him, this is the story of a person that chooses to hurt people in retaliation for being damaged, and he wants you to feel sorry for him even though he never changes or shows an ounce of genuine remorse.
at least the title is accurate. this truly was the diary of someone who is stealing oxygen from those who deserve it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Sexism
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Alcoholism
Minor: Rape