A review by artemisg
The Odyssey by Lara Williams

challenging dark 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

3.0

Girl what

Hmmm. I can’t tell if this book was genuinely just average or if I wasn’t in the mood for reading about a disaffected, unlikeable woman who does some insane things because she has unmedicated depression and probably an array of other mental illnesses. That’s what this book is btw. 
 
This book follows Ingrid (said disaffected woman) as she starts a cult-like mentorship program on the cult-like cruise ship she has been working on for the past five years. This mentorship program is led by the CEO and insane man Keith (who loves Japanese culture a little too much, in my opinion) and is genuinely insane. But, Ingrid is also insane, so it works well for her. Ingrid is unlikable to me (the reader), and other characters in the book, and some of her thought processes and actions genuinely grossed me out, so good work there. 
 
Williams does not shy away from immoral acts or the occasional grossness of humanity, but she does shy away from making sense (or maybe I’m stupid), and Ingrid’s past trauma was disappointing, to say the least (Joss Whedon moment ig). The prose in this book was wonderfully, beautifully written, but it was not a quirky or mischievous read like I expected, nor was it funny. Overall, this book is a bit of a thinker, a bit confronting, and a bit gross, and the ending is left entirely up to interpretation, which I love. 
 
This is not to say I didn’t like this book, I did genuinely enjoy reading it, but I’ve just read better books and better books with similar vibes and themes. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings