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A review by archaicrobin
Tampa by Alissa Nutting
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
3.0
Huge Trigger warnings for: Pedophilia, sexual assault, sexual content, sex with minors, child abuse
It was really hard to rate a book about a female pedophile preying on young boys in her 8th grade English class. Celeste is a guiltless pedophile looking for the perfect boy to use and abuse before moving on to the next. Told from Celeste’s perspective, this book is incredibly uncomfortable to read, disturbing, and very gross. Celeste describes in detail her exploits with these boys and her daydreams about the boys, and her sociopathic thinking of them as just tools to meet her needs.
While I did not enjoy reading this book, like many others I couldn’t put it down because I had to know how all this ended. Celeste must be based on the countless female pedophiles who were widespread in the media and the novel brings up the very relevant double standard that was pervasive at the time and in ways still is. It’s not abuse if it’s a hot woman committing the crime right? Tampa does not shy away from this or anything else, so don’t go into this without checking all content warnings!
While the content was disgusting the writing made you want to continue just to see how far this all goes. And I often thought this can’t get worse, she can’t possibly get worse, but she does!
I originally picked this up for its notorious reputation of being one of the most disturbing transgressive novels written by a female. I had to know if it was really that bad, and it was. Not for the faint of heart but if you can manage it, it’s worth the read.
It was really hard to rate a book about a female pedophile preying on young boys in her 8th grade English class. Celeste is a guiltless pedophile looking for the perfect boy to use and abuse before moving on to the next. Told from Celeste’s perspective, this book is incredibly uncomfortable to read, disturbing, and very gross. Celeste describes in detail her exploits with these boys and her daydreams about the boys, and her sociopathic thinking of them as just tools to meet her needs.
While I did not enjoy reading this book, like many others I couldn’t put it down because I had to know how all this ended. Celeste must be based on the countless female pedophiles who were widespread in the media and the novel brings up the very relevant double standard that was pervasive at the time and in ways still is. It’s not abuse if it’s a hot woman committing the crime right? Tampa does not shy away from this or anything else, so don’t go into this without checking all content warnings!
While the content was disgusting the writing made you want to continue just to see how far this all goes. And I often thought this can’t get worse, she can’t possibly get worse, but she does!
I originally picked this up for its notorious reputation of being one of the most disturbing transgressive novels written by a female. I had to know if it was really that bad, and it was. Not for the faint of heart but if you can manage it, it’s worth the read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Blood, Child abuse, Sexual harassment, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content