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A review by aloe_v
Penance by Eliza Clark
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The blurring between fiction and non-fiction was quite trippy when reading the book, and given the ending guardian interview, within the fiction, which accuses the in-book author of blurring fiction and non-fiction, I realise now the interesting parallels there between the fictional readers and real readers.
It was also interesting that, as I read, I thought it was actually a male author because of the in-book author, and only reading the acknowledgements did i realise it was not. This was another interesting thing that "caught me", as I'd felt a bit uncertain about a male writing about teenage female relationships, and that it was a bit infantilising/dismissive at times, and I realise now, that was likely intentional on the real authors part - or at least, thats my intepretation.
Reading time 5h54m.
It was also interesting that, as I read, I thought it was actually a male author because of the in-book author, and only reading the acknowledgements did i realise it was not. This was another interesting thing that "caught me", as I'd felt a bit uncertain about a male writing about teenage female relationships, and that it was a bit infantilising/dismissive at times, and I realise now, that was likely intentional on the real authors part - or at least, thats my intepretation.
Reading time 5h54m.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Gun violence, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Suicide attempt, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Homophobia and Racism
Minor: Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault