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dwejra 's review for:
My Best Friend's Exorcism
by Grady Hendrix
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I am so surprised by the unanimously positive reviews of this book on Goodreads that I need to add my thoughts on the book.
At first, the story seems great, but the moment Gretchen becomes possessed the book took a turn to the worst. While having a gripping, fast-paced style, the second part was difficult for me to go through. While alp reviews focus on the friendship as a core of the story, in its majority the book shows everyone gaslighting Abby, without really making any comment on the real-life significance of the issue. I wish the gaslighting was carefully orchestrated by the demon, since for me it made for the most gut-wrenching part of the book, but the characters just ignore Abby without much reason - it seems all adults hate her just because it is convenient for the plot.
Finally, although the whole story is almost exclusively female-centered, it fails to be in any way feminist or diverse. For example, Abby is the only one trying to help her friend, but in the end, it is the male exorcist who needs to save the day. Someone else already pointed out the unnecessary racism, which the author casually excuses with the "it was the 80s" phrase. The biggest offender is the brief scene including Slave Day at school, when some students get to humiliate others, which is absolutely unnecessary (the bullying depicted during it could have just as easily taken place on any other day). Similarly, 80s setting seems to jusrify for the author the omnipresent fat phobia and body shaming, making you wonder if he does not share these prejudices himself.
However, I know that many people will enjoy it for its decent writing and fast pace, but it left me with a bad taste in my mouth, all for the wrong reasons.
At first, the story seems great, but the moment Gretchen becomes possessed the book took a turn to the worst. While having a gripping, fast-paced style, the second part was difficult for me to go through. While alp reviews focus on the friendship as a core of the story, in its majority the book shows everyone gaslighting Abby, without really making any comment on the real-life significance of the issue. I wish the gaslighting was carefully orchestrated by the demon, since for me it made for the most gut-wrenching part of the book, but the characters just ignore Abby without much reason - it seems all adults hate her just because it is convenient for the plot.
Finally, although the whole story is almost exclusively female-centered, it fails to be in any way feminist or diverse. For example, Abby is the only one trying to help her friend, but in the end, it is the male exorcist who needs to save the day. Someone else already pointed out the unnecessary racism, which the author casually excuses with the "it was the 80s" phrase. The biggest offender is the brief scene including Slave Day at school, when some students get to humiliate others, which is absolutely unnecessary (the bullying depicted during it could have just as easily taken place on any other day). Similarly, 80s setting seems to jusrify for the author the omnipresent fat phobia and body shaming, making you wonder if he does not share these prejudices himself.
However, I know that many people will enjoy it for its decent writing and fast pace, but it left me with a bad taste in my mouth, all for the wrong reasons.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Vomit, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racism