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A review by goatsrsexy
Perfume and Pain by Anna Dorn
adventurous
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I haven't read any of Anna Dorns other books, but if they're anything like Perfume and Pain, I think she's going to be added to my small list of favourite authors. (Alongside Mona Awad, Leigh Bardugo, and Eva Ibbotson she'll be in great company).
Supposedly an ode to 1950s lesbian pulp fiction, my only experience with the genre is from this novel, so far, so I don't really know how it stands up in that regard. But wow I loved this book so much, it really scratched an itch in my brain... I found myself reading super slowly and reading other books in between chapters because I didn't want it to end.
The story is about an LA author who is just a mess. Alcoholic drug addict, keeps getting cancelled online because she has no filter, obsessed with dating and just falling apart in so many ways, but I loved her so much. Its honestly probably a red flag how much I love this kind of 'unlikeable female character'. I wish I had no morals or shame so I could also be an awful mess of a person who just does and says whatever she wants. But luckily for everyone, I'll have to stick to reading about it instead.
The great thing about this book though, is that under the surface it was lot more than just a satirical look at Hollywood and Queer culture and Lesbian Pulp... It had a lot of heart and ultimately was the story of a woman with a lot of problems learning how to get better and to like herself. I loved the chaotic vibe of this book but I also loved the calm, feel-good, and tranquil ending.
If this book sounds up your alley at all based on my review I definitely recommend picking up a copy when it's out May 21, or you can pre-order it like I'm about to,(because I read this digitally but I NEED to own it). Thanks so much to Simon & Schuster Canada for the Netgalley arc, without which I may not have read this fantastic book!
Supposedly an ode to 1950s lesbian pulp fiction, my only experience with the genre is from this novel, so far, so I don't really know how it stands up in that regard. But wow I loved this book so much, it really scratched an itch in my brain... I found myself reading super slowly and reading other books in between chapters because I didn't want it to end.
The story is about an LA author who is just a mess. Alcoholic drug addict, keeps getting cancelled online because she has no filter, obsessed with dating and just falling apart in so many ways, but I loved her so much. Its honestly probably a red flag how much I love this kind of 'unlikeable female character'. I wish I had no morals or shame so I could also be an awful mess of a person who just does and says whatever she wants. But luckily for everyone, I'll have to stick to reading about it instead.
The great thing about this book though, is that under the surface it was lot more than just a satirical look at Hollywood and Queer culture and Lesbian Pulp... It had a lot of heart and ultimately was the story of a woman with a lot of problems learning how to get better and to like herself. I loved the chaotic vibe of this book but I also loved the calm, feel-good, and tranquil ending.
If this book sounds up your alley at all based on my review I definitely recommend picking up a copy when it's out May 21, or you can pre-order it like I'm about to,(because I read this digitally but I NEED to own it). Thanks so much to Simon & Schuster Canada for the Netgalley arc, without which I may not have read this fantastic book!