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A review by bookishmillennial
Penance by Eliza Clark
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
What a fascinating satirical novel that provides scathing commentary on true crime fixations, and "mean girl" culture. I also recognize the irony that I am now listening to the Crime Junkie podcast as I write this review. I'm also trash, and also part of the problem that Eliza Clark's novel comments on.
This book is actually a book within a book, which was wildly entertaining (and as I write "entertaining," I'm like 'omg, AGAIN, YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM BRITTANY!' but you know... at least I'm self aware I guess *cries at how annoying self is*). The book within the book is a true crime novel by journalist Alec Z. Carelli, who interviewed the suspects of a murder, and did extensive research about the murder. The murder happened about a decade ago as of the time that the book publishes, and Carelli believes the story was begging to be told! There is also a disclaimer at the very beginning of the book which notes that it came to light that Carelli fabricated much of what interviewees actually said, and facts were glamorized and polished in the final edit. That's how you start the book, wondering what was true and to what extent these interviewees are telling the truth too. It's a wild ride.
We receive perspectives from the three young women accused of the crime, who the victim Joan named before she died. The girls are from a northern seaside town, Crow-on-Sea, where class disparities left unfettered only heightened the cruelty and egos of these teenagers. Eliza Clark comes for the 2010s Tumblr honeys and takes no prisoners with the authentic portrayal of the deep dive into online spaces like Tumblr; we were all read for filth in this commentary on the internet culture when it comes to fandoms, fixations, and how we could essentially be complicit in such unrelenting ugliness. This was the era of Bella Swan, of notoriously shouting we were "not like other girls," and these three murder suspects were such delectable characterizations and slices of that. They represented the dangers of when internalized misogyny can become emotionally and physically violent. Most notably, the way their stories all differ and how they all point to the other as the true ringleader is terrifying and unsettling.
Ultimately, this made me uncomfortable, because that's how satirical litfic is supposed to make you feel! You are supposed to wince, and question your contribution to a certain darker part of larger culture. I certainly did! Anyway, I read this from a rec from my friend @maddysbookopinions for my #12Friends12Books 2024 reading challenge, and I'm really glad I did, even if I oscillated between anger, guilt, and horror for the characters; and admiration for Clark.
What a fascinating satirical novel that provides scathing commentary on true crime fixations, and "mean girl" culture. I also recognize the irony that I am now listening to the Crime Junkie podcast as I write this review. I'm also trash, and also part of the problem that Eliza Clark's novel comments on.
This book is actually a book within a book, which was wildly entertaining (and as I write "entertaining," I'm like 'omg, AGAIN, YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM BRITTANY!' but you know... at least I'm self aware I guess *cries at how annoying self is*). The book within the book is a true crime novel by journalist Alec Z. Carelli, who interviewed the suspects of a murder, and did extensive research about the murder. The murder happened about a decade ago as of the time that the book publishes, and Carelli believes the story was begging to be told! There is also a disclaimer at the very beginning of the book which notes that it came to light that Carelli fabricated much of what interviewees actually said, and facts were glamorized and polished in the final edit. That's how you start the book, wondering what was true and to what extent these interviewees are telling the truth too. It's a wild ride.
We receive perspectives from the three young women accused of the crime, who the victim Joan named before she died. The girls are from a northern seaside town, Crow-on-Sea, where class disparities left unfettered only heightened the cruelty and egos of these teenagers. Eliza Clark comes for the 2010s Tumblr honeys and takes no prisoners with the authentic portrayal of the deep dive into online spaces like Tumblr; we were all read for filth in this commentary on the internet culture when it comes to fandoms, fixations, and how we could essentially be complicit in such unrelenting ugliness. This was the era of Bella Swan, of notoriously shouting we were "not like other girls," and these three murder suspects were such delectable characterizations and slices of that. They represented the dangers of when internalized misogyny can become emotionally and physically violent. Most notably, the way their stories all differ and how they all point to the other as the true ringleader is terrifying and unsettling.
Ultimately, this made me uncomfortable, because that's how satirical litfic is supposed to make you feel! You are supposed to wince, and question your contribution to a certain darker part of larger culture. I certainly did! Anyway, I read this from a rec from my friend @maddysbookopinions for my #12Friends12Books 2024 reading challenge, and I'm really glad I did, even if I oscillated between anger, guilt, and horror for the characters; and admiration for Clark.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Bullying, Toxic friendship, Murder, and Torture
Moderate: Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Suicide