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A review by palmsygal
Diary Of An Oxygen Thief by Anonymous, Anonymous
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I don’t think I’ve read anything quite like this book. The whole point is to despise the narrator, which is perfectly done. Halfway through this book, I was thinking ‘what’s the purpose of this… I’m confused…’ but it did not stop me from wanting to find out where this journey ends. I was engaged throughout and actually could not put the book down.
I believe this perfectly encapsulates what it is like for someone to have narcissism and a victim complex. The narrator is horrible, you don’t grow to like him, and that’s the point. Whilst he drones on about his alcoholism and his ‘changed’ character, you really are able to see the intricacy of his own thoughts and feelings, believing himself to be a victim and that he does not deserve what happens to him, and you see how preposterous it really is.
I feel most dislike this book, from the variety of reviews I have seen already, and I can understand why as it is not a happy ending or a story of love and redemption. If you’re looking for a redemption arc or a mass-load of apologies and events of remorse, this is not the book for you.
However, I liked it, and would go so far as to say enjoyed it, as it is a true and honest representation of how naive and egotistical some can be, and does truly show that hurt people hurt people.
I believe this perfectly encapsulates what it is like for someone to have narcissism and a victim complex. The narrator is horrible, you don’t grow to like him, and that’s the point. Whilst he drones on about his alcoholism and his ‘changed’ character, you really are able to see the intricacy of his own thoughts and feelings, believing himself to be a victim and that he does not deserve what happens to him, and you see how preposterous it really is.
I feel most dislike this book, from the variety of reviews I have seen already, and I can understand why as it is not a happy ending or a story of love and redemption. If you’re looking for a redemption arc or a mass-load of apologies and events of remorse, this is not the book for you.
However, I liked it, and would go so far as to say enjoyed it, as it is a true and honest representation of how naive and egotistical some can be, and does truly show that hurt people hurt people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism