Take a photo of a barcode or cover
thirstkirst 's review for:
The Smash-Up
by Ali Benjamin
Special thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review
This book was quite the challenge for me to get into. If I'm being honest, I wasn't interested in the story until about 90% in.
All of the characters really suck. The story takes place around Brett Kavanaugh's hearing, which I never wanted to relive (seriously, fuck that guy). Even though this is a frame story told from an unknown narrator, you mostly see through Ethan's POV, and I couldn't stand him. Not liking the main character really puts me off. They don't even have to be a good person, just give me something redeemable, ya know?
What really helped me get through the roughness was reading up on Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome, which is the novel this book is replicating. Although I admire Wharton and her work, there's no way I will ever read Ethan Frome after reading this modern retelling. A major critique of the original is how bleak it is and how there are no morally good characters. I get that it's a reflection of reality, but holy shit that makes it difficult to read.
This book was on it's way to a one-star read, possibly even a DNF, but I pushed through, and I'm glad I did. That ending. Oh, man. That ending. I absolutely loved it. I loved it so much that I actually retroactively enjoyed the previous 90% of the novel. I even cried.
Not sure if a strong ending is enough for most people to push through a pretty bleak novel, but if that's your thing, this is the book for you.
Happy reading, fellow feminists!
This book was quite the challenge for me to get into. If I'm being honest, I wasn't interested in the story until about 90% in.
All of the characters really suck. The story takes place around Brett Kavanaugh's hearing, which I never wanted to relive (seriously, fuck that guy). Even though this is a frame story told from an unknown narrator, you mostly see through Ethan's POV, and I couldn't stand him. Not liking the main character really puts me off. They don't even have to be a good person, just give me something redeemable, ya know?
What really helped me get through the roughness was reading up on Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome, which is the novel this book is replicating. Although I admire Wharton and her work, there's no way I will ever read Ethan Frome after reading this modern retelling. A major critique of the original is how bleak it is and how there are no morally good characters. I get that it's a reflection of reality, but holy shit that makes it difficult to read.
This book was on it's way to a one-star read, possibly even a DNF, but I pushed through, and I'm glad I did. That ending. Oh, man. That ending. I absolutely loved it. I loved it so much that I actually retroactively enjoyed the previous 90% of the novel. I even cried.
Not sure if a strong ending is enough for most people to push through a pretty bleak novel, but if that's your thing, this is the book for you.
Happy reading, fellow feminists!