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A review by rionstorm
Boy Parts by Eliza Clark
challenging
dark
funny
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
4.25
This book both was and wasn't what I expected. Horrible book about horrible people that I enjoyed a lot.
The book is more about dealing with the aftermath of abuse than with kink etc. Irina is an example of a character who has turned into an unkind, unpleasant person as a result of dealing with trauma; rather than becoming empathetic or a people pleaser. It was an interesting to follow the protagonist of the story and be uncomfortable almost all of the time with their actions, but also to almost get used to their bad behaviour through hearing their own constant "logical" excuses and justifications.
How Irina changes and unravels through the book is the most interesting part. At first, I thought the central question of the story was explore to what extent bad behaviour and unkind attitude can be explained/excused by being traumatised. As the book went on, it became clear that it was instead much more about the increasingly desperate measures taken by someone who was abused to try and avoid being powerless or a victim again, and the ensuing dissociation and distress caused when she is not taken seriously as a threat, or even as someone with power in a situation, simply because she is a woman. Irina spends so much of the book obsessively controlling herself her situation, and the people around her, only to fall apart when she realises that she is never taken seriously or seen as being in control by the men who objectify and sexualise her, even when she is violent or sexually abusive. An interesting take on the cycle of abuse.
There were a few goofy parts - notably the part when Irina goes to the club and goes on a long tangent about how white everyone is, despite herself being white, and the name dropping of films like August Underground, but generally I liked how it was written. Also includes a lot of fun critique of the art world and art college. Feels like American Psycho for girls, so if that description appeals to you you'll like it.
The book is more about dealing with the aftermath of abuse than with kink etc. Irina is an example of a character who has turned into an unkind, unpleasant person as a result of dealing with trauma; rather than becoming empathetic or a people pleaser. It was an interesting to follow the protagonist of the story and be uncomfortable almost all of the time with their actions, but also to almost get used to their bad behaviour through hearing their own constant "logical" excuses and justifications.
How Irina changes and unravels through the book is the most interesting part. At first, I thought the central question of the story was explore to what extent bad behaviour and unkind attitude can be explained/excused by being traumatised. As the book went on, it became clear that it was instead much more about
There were a few goofy parts - notably the part when Irina goes to the club and goes on a long tangent about how white everyone is, despite herself being white, and the name dropping of films like August Underground, but generally I liked how it was written. Also includes a lot of fun critique of the art world and art college. Feels like American Psycho for girls, so if that description appeals to you you'll like it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Classism, Pedophilia, and Vomit
Minor: Animal death