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A review by angelajzhu
Astrid Sees All: A Novel by Natalie Standiford
4.0
I absolutely couldn't WAIT to read this book, just the beautiful cover alone drew me in so much.
The book is set in New York in the 1980's and [a:Natalie Standiford|136146|Natalie Standiford|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1268675443p2/136146.jpg]'s writing felt so evocative of the raw and gritty, yet vivid setting. I really appreciated the contrast of the vibrant and chaotic clubbing scenes against the backdrop of the squalid living situations. Similarly, the characters felt so realistic and vulnerable as well. Phoebe's character, while unlikable, perfectly encapsulates the desperation to fit in and search for our own character that so many of us experience in our young adulthood.
While I wished the novel had wrapped up with Phoebe finding her sense of self, I understand why it didn't (that's just not how life works). 3.5 stars rounded up to 4!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
The book is set in New York in the 1980's and [a:Natalie Standiford|136146|Natalie Standiford|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1268675443p2/136146.jpg]'s writing felt so evocative of the raw and gritty, yet vivid setting. I really appreciated the contrast of the vibrant and chaotic clubbing scenes against the backdrop of the squalid living situations. Similarly, the characters felt so realistic and vulnerable as well. Phoebe's character, while unlikable, perfectly encapsulates the desperation to fit in and search for our own character that so many of us experience in our young adulthood.
While I wished the novel had wrapped up with Phoebe finding her sense of self, I understand why it didn't (that's just not how life works). 3.5 stars rounded up to 4!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!