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A review by cloreadsbooks1364
Idol by Louise O'Neill
5.0
I first read this book two years ago, but I could still clearly remember the plot and characters. I recently reread it in a single day, and enjoyed it just as much as I did the first time around.
Idol
By Louise O'Neill
Genres: adult contemporary fiction
Warning: This book deals with some heavy topics, as listed below under TWs.
Synopsis:
Idol features the famous Samantha Miller (Sam), a woman who has built a company, gathered a fanbase of millions, inspired many young women to have the confidence to share their experiences with assault and abuse. She has recently passed 3 million Instagram followers, when an email comes in from her childhood best friend Lisa. Lisa claims that on her 18th birthday Sam sexually assaulted her (a night Sam recently wrote an essay about, calling what she and Lisa did that night an unforgettable sexual experience). Desperate to save her career, Sam returns home to discover why Lisa made the claim, and possibly rebuild their friendship.
My opinions:
I found this book very easy to read, despite the regular time-jumps back 20 years to show exactly what happened between Sam and Liss. It's a very modern read, heavily featuring social media as people rush to accuse and defend Sam.
Sam herself was intended to be unlikable, and I found myself often annoyed by her actions and blatant disrespect of peoples' boundaries. Honestly, I didn't particularly like any character, but I think that we weren't meant to like them. (Becky in particular irked me).
For anyone intending to read this book, remember that Sam is not a reliable narrator, a trope I always enjoy. Do not trust her.
The plot brought real events to my mind, celebrities being revealed to be problematic and how fans react to that, either refusing to believe the accusations or turning away from the celebrity and their works. (Something we see on bookstagram often these days)
I recommend this book to you, but please take heed of the trigger warnings below. It is not a pleasant book, but I was dragged into the story very easily and will definitely reread it again in the future.
TWs: rape (on-page), sexual assault (on-page), eating disorder (bulimia), abortion, addiction, drug use, body shaming, dementia, death of parent (past), gaslighting, toxic relationship, bullying, emotional abuse, addiction
Idol
By Louise O'Neill
Genres: adult contemporary fiction
Warning: This book deals with some heavy topics, as listed below under TWs.
Synopsis:
Idol features the famous Samantha Miller (Sam), a woman who has built a company, gathered a fanbase of millions, inspired many young women to have the confidence to share their experiences with assault and abuse. She has recently passed 3 million Instagram followers, when an email comes in from her childhood best friend Lisa. Lisa claims that on her 18th birthday Sam sexually assaulted her (a night Sam recently wrote an essay about, calling what she and Lisa did that night an unforgettable sexual experience). Desperate to save her career, Sam returns home to discover why Lisa made the claim, and possibly rebuild their friendship.
My opinions:
I found this book very easy to read, despite the regular time-jumps back 20 years to show exactly what happened between Sam and Liss. It's a very modern read, heavily featuring social media as people rush to accuse and defend Sam.
Sam herself was intended to be unlikable, and I found myself often annoyed by her actions and blatant disrespect of peoples' boundaries. Honestly, I didn't particularly like any character, but I think that we weren't meant to like them. (Becky in particular irked me).
For anyone intending to read this book, remember that Sam is not a reliable narrator, a trope I always enjoy. Do not trust her.
The plot brought real events to my mind, celebrities being revealed to be problematic and how fans react to that, either refusing to believe the accusations or turning away from the celebrity and their works. (Something we see on bookstagram often these days)
I recommend this book to you, but please take heed of the trigger warnings below. It is not a pleasant book, but I was dragged into the story very easily and will definitely reread it again in the future.
TWs: rape (on-page), sexual assault (on-page), eating disorder (bulimia), abortion, addiction, drug use, body shaming, dementia, death of parent (past), gaslighting, toxic relationship, bullying, emotional abuse, addiction
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Abortion, and Gaslighting