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A review by braveprincess11
Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
I wanted to like it. I really, really wanted to like it. Instead, by the end, I wish I DNF’ed.
This was my first Becky Albertalli, and unfortunately, it will also be my last.
I understand that the point of this book was for Imogen to struggle through figuring out her own identity, and I also know that it was loosely based on Albertalli’s own journey, but the amount of internalized biphobia was honestly unbearable at times.
I know that Gretchen exists to be the villain, and that this is about Imogen’s journey to self discovery and self acceptance in a complicated social media based world. But Gretchen was so clearly terminally online, and projecting her own trauma onto others, in particular onto Imogen, and the way that Immy absorbed Gretchen’s opinions as fact made it so that not only was Gretchen unlikeable, so was Imogen at times.
Characters aside, the pacing of this book is also… bad. The entire book takes place over 9 days, and is 62 chapters, which is fine. The issue that I have with the pacing is that, Chapter 51, which takes place ON DAY 9, Imogen still says to herself “Really, the only question is whether or not Tessa has pieced together that I’m straight.”
Later that SAME DAY, she’s kissing Tessa in front of the World’s Largest Griddle, and asking to be girlfriends? It’s entirely unrealistic.
I understand that this is supposed to be a “labels aren’t strict, and you’re still queer if you didn’t grow up knowing that!” kind of book, but it’s also absolutely rife with the same stereotypes that its message professing to subvert?
This was my first Becky Albertalli, and unfortunately, it will also be my last.
I understand that the point of this book was for Imogen to struggle through figuring out her own identity, and I also know that it was loosely based on Albertalli’s own journey, but the amount of internalized biphobia was honestly unbearable at times.
I know that Gretchen exists to be the villain, and that this is about Imogen’s journey to self discovery and self acceptance in a complicated social media based world. But Gretchen was so clearly terminally online, and projecting her own trauma onto others, in particular onto Imogen, and the way that Immy absorbed Gretchen’s opinions as fact made it so that not only was Gretchen unlikeable, so was Imogen at times.
Characters aside, the pacing of this book is also… bad. The entire book takes place over 9 days, and is 62 chapters, which is fine. The issue that I have with the pacing is that, Chapter 51, which takes place ON DAY 9, Imogen still says to herself
Later that SAME DAY, she’s kissing Tessa in front of the World’s Largest Griddle, and asking to be girlfriends?
I understand that this is supposed to be a “labels aren’t strict, and you’re still queer if you didn’t grow up knowing that!” kind of book, but it’s also absolutely rife with the same stereotypes that its message professing to subvert?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Emotional abuse