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A review by ramreadsagain
I'm a Fan by Sheena Patel
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a book of two halves for me.
On one hand I really liked the format and narration, with the monologue of a thirty-something woman of colour who is obsessed with an older married man she is having a mostly one-sided affair with, as well as being obsessed with the younger, white instagram influencer who the man is having an affair with. She is pathetic and self-destructive yet also apparently very self-aware. The (very short) chapters are a mix of plot/backstory, and mini essays on society, class, race, and misogyny.
It falls down for me though when it comes to the actual substance of the book. The critiques on influencer culture bordered a bit too much on internalised misogyny for my liking, and the thoughts on other issues did feel very surface level. Essentially, not nearly as deep or original as I would expect from a Women’s Prize nominee.
I just think it could have done more with this, especially when it comes to cognitive dissonance, for example the main character continuing to beg for this man while also knowing she was being strung along and racially fetishised.
On one hand I really liked the format and narration, with the monologue of a thirty-something woman of colour who is obsessed with an older married man she is having a mostly one-sided affair with, as well as being obsessed with the younger, white instagram influencer who the man is having an affair with. She is pathetic and self-destructive yet also apparently very self-aware. The (very short) chapters are a mix of plot/backstory, and mini essays on society, class, race, and misogyny.
It falls down for me though when it comes to the actual substance of the book. The critiques on influencer culture bordered a bit too much on internalised misogyny for my liking, and the thoughts on other issues did feel very surface level. Essentially, not nearly as deep or original as I would expect from a Women’s Prize nominee.
I just think it could have done more with this, especially when it comes to cognitive dissonance, for example the main character continuing to beg for this man while also knowing she was being strung along and racially fetishised.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Racism and Sexual content
Minor: Stalking