A review by everythingeatsandiseaten
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

such a powerful, twisted read.

if you think this book is romanticizing any of its content i’m afraid you didn’t get it. it frustrated me so badly at times but the journey and narration is so integral to the overall message. i totally understand how uncomfortable it is to read, but i think that’s what gives it its power and driving force. 

after reading i’m thinking about jenny— what her place was in the story, why we’re never explicitly told what went down between her and vanessa. i’m also wondering about vanessa’s parents as individual characters; i found it interesting when we had a glimpse of her dad’s life at the hospital and wanted to understand them as more complex, real people than simply the main character’s parents.

i would say this book didn’t add much diversity / add much new to the overarching topic or genre (if you could call it that?), but did provide a very provocative perspective on the matter, which was very interesting and refreshing to read. 

please check trigger warnings!! i believe my list is extensive but correct me if i‘m mistaken. 

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