A review by samdalefox
Boy Parts by Eliza Clark

challenging dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This book is a hot mess but I really enjoyed it. I don't think this book is 'good', as in I don't think it's particuarly well researched, written, or thought out, but it was still engrossing to read and I tore through it quickly. I was genuinely surprised by the narrative which is a rarity for me and the ending was left completely open.

There are clear influences (in some cases direct lifting) from American Psycho and includes a great many other contemporary references to pop culture which I don't think will age well. I think it's interesting to view the themes through both the artist (Irina) and her art. Irina is a menacing unreliable narrator who embodies some really interesting themes also expressed in her art: rape culture, consent, boundaries, self hatred [diet culture, disordered eating], control, the male gaze and social hypersexulisation of girls and women, the 'female gaze', the impact of trauma to a person, narcissism, biphobia, women's anger and wanting to be seen, cruelty to others, manipulation (of others, of the truth), attachment issues, and some pretty interesting commentary on the British class system within the arts world. Her art comments on many of these things in the subject matter, Irina's process of how she makes the art, and how it is recevied by others. 
 
There were many subplots (or redherrings, or mental dillusions, who knows!) that I was quite interested in but disappointingly never went any further e.g.
Mr B, Irina's haunting/sexual sadism fetish of glass in the eye, and the 'breakdown/murder'
. 

Favourite quotes:

"I look at the photos again, the ones I didn't delete. I look at his purple face, his bloody chin and nipple, his swollen cheek. I wonder what the fuck I have to do for people to recognise me as a threat, you know?"

"Do I have to smash a glass over the head of every single man I come into contact with, just so I leave a fucking mark?

I like this review from the following Reddit thread:

I love this review because it thoroughly examines the flaws of the book. I see what you are saying, however I loved the book for exactly those reasons. Irina is insufferable and a horrible person. She’s not that great at much, except for being shocking and vile in acceptable ways. She gets lucky and abuses any of her power. I don’t think we’re supposed to fully grasp everything in the book. I admit the plot could be better, but her deliriousness really disillusions our hopes for her to change her ways. I wish there was maybe a clear point about gender dynamics or power, but I think there doesn’t need to be. I found it wildly entertaining to hate Irina and be excited by her reckless behaviors at the same time. Anyways, i just really like the points you made!

https://www.reddit.com/r/books/comments/vetecw/boy_parts_by_eliza_clark_is_an_utterly_terrible/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
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