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A review by aliena_jackson
Pulp by Robin Talley
2.0
This book was told from a dual perspective. Janet, a closeted lesbian who lives in 1950s Washington DC during the time period of the lavender scare, is coming into herself, and realizing her love of women and writing. She begins writing a lesbian pulp novel (hence the title of the book). Abby lives in Washington DC in 2017, and is a senior in high school at the time the novel takes place. She just broke up with her girlfriend and responds by doing something with a pulp novel Janet wrote.
Here's the thing: Janet's parts of the book were really good. They were interesting, and well-written, compelling, etc. Abby's......were not. I found Abby to be one of the most aggravating characters I've ever read. She reads like a 13 year old. She covers her ears and shouts when she doesn't want to listen to what someone has to say, she's whiny and entitled, and her problems are the only issues in the world according to her. On multiple occasions, she responds to conflict by nonconsensually kissing her ex-girlfriend. This happened three times, and I was stunned. At times, she blames her parents for her girlfriend dumping her. Her girlfriend witnessed her parents fighting about grout and apparently that spiraled into a breakup. I just- I really, really, really, really hated Abby. She was so whiny, and entitled. She has a breakdown over her friend saying an author is dead, and acts like a donkey's behind. I actually just skipped Abby's parts because I hated her so much. I just was not invested. Boo, Abby. You suck. Janet though, I mean, she had her issues, but I liked her. So go Janet, I guess.
This has not been my most articulate review, and I will come back later and heavily revise this, probably, so enjoy it while you can. Not this book, just the review. Except for Janet's parts, enjoy those.
Here's the thing: Janet's parts of the book were really good. They were interesting, and well-written, compelling, etc. Abby's......were not. I found Abby to be one of the most aggravating characters I've ever read. She reads like a 13 year old. She covers her ears and shouts when she doesn't want to listen to what someone has to say, she's whiny and entitled, and her problems are the only issues in the world according to her. On multiple occasions, she responds to conflict by nonconsensually kissing her ex-girlfriend. This happened three times, and I was stunned. At times, she blames her parents for her girlfriend dumping her. Her girlfriend witnessed her parents fighting about grout and apparently that spiraled into a breakup. I just- I really, really, really, really hated Abby. She was so whiny, and entitled. She has a breakdown over her friend saying an author is dead, and acts like a donkey's behind. I actually just skipped Abby's parts because I hated her so much. I just was not invested. Boo, Abby. You suck. Janet though, I mean, she had her issues, but I liked her. So go Janet, I guess.
This has not been my most articulate review, and I will come back later and heavily revise this, probably, so enjoy it while you can. Not this book, just the review. Except for Janet's parts, enjoy those.