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A review by lauren_miller
The Blouse by Bastien Vivès
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I'm not in the habit of reading NetGalley reviews for ARCs before I pick them up. That is absolutely going to change now, 100% due to this book. If I had even glanced at the star rating, I could've saved myself not only an hour of my time, but my peace of mind and what little faith in humanity I had...
This book is not good.
I picked it up because, after reading the summary provided, I hoped this would be a narrative about the dichotomy between self-worth and sexuality, and the fine line women must walk in society today. Turns out, this book is the exact OPPOSITE.
The protagonist Séverine is lent a blouse that magically causes men to find her attractive. That's not the part I take issue with... The second she puts on the blouse, her personality does a total 180—she's no longer shy, suddenly she's down to drink and smoke, she cheats on her boyfriend multiple times without thought, she magically becomes an exhibitionist, and her sense of self-preservation is nonexistent. She turns into a "whore" of the male gaze's sexual fantasy variety, completely devoid of characterization she previously had. Instead of the sensually charged, taking-back-her-sexuality type story, we're treated to softcore porn with little to no direction or intention.
And that doesn't even take into account two things that grossly upset me—the absolutely unnecessary scene between Éva and Séverine regarding the girl's genitals and the terrorist attack on the Gare de l'Est. Both were pointless, having no impact on Séverine or the plot, and came off as egregious, insensitive, and honestly disgusting.
In truth, I wish I had DNF'd this, and I cannot recommend it to anyone I know, least of all my fellow French speakers; if I felt this way reading it in English, I cannot imagine how much worse it would have been in its native language. My apologies for the severe review, but I feel I must be honest. 1 out of 5 stars, ★☆☆☆☆
I'm not in the habit of reading NetGalley reviews for ARCs before I pick them up. That is absolutely going to change now, 100% due to this book. If I had even glanced at the star rating, I could've saved myself not only an hour of my time, but my peace of mind and what little faith in humanity I had...
This book is not good.
I picked it up because, after reading the summary provided, I hoped this would be a narrative about the dichotomy between self-worth and sexuality, and the fine line women must walk in society today. Turns out, this book is the exact OPPOSITE.
The protagonist Séverine is lent a blouse that magically causes men to find her attractive. That's not the part I take issue with... The second she puts on the blouse, her personality does a total 180—she's no longer shy, suddenly she's down to drink and smoke, she cheats on her boyfriend multiple times without thought, she magically becomes an exhibitionist, and her sense of self-preservation is nonexistent. She turns into a "whore" of the male gaze's sexual fantasy variety, completely devoid of characterization she previously had. Instead of the sensually charged, taking-back-her-sexuality type story, we're treated to softcore porn with little to no direction or intention.
And that doesn't even take into account two things that grossly upset me—the absolutely unnecessary scene between Éva and Séverine regarding the girl's genitals and the terrorist attack on the Gare de l'Est. Both were pointless, having no impact on Séverine or the plot, and came off as egregious, insensitive, and honestly disgusting.
In truth, I wish I had DNF'd this, and I cannot recommend it to anyone I know, least of all my fellow French speakers; if I felt this way reading it in English, I cannot imagine how much worse it would have been in its native language. My apologies for the severe review, but I feel I must be honest. 1 out of 5 stars, ★☆☆☆☆
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Toxic relationship, and Violence