A review by selfbybee
Acts of Service by Lillian Fishman

challenging reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75


I am solidly sitting a 3.5 to 4 stars right now but I imagine I may comeback to this review as I cannot stop unpacking this book in my head for so many reasons.

cw: sexual violence, coercion, cheating, toxic romantic relationship, homophobia(lesbo and biphobia), mentions of -ape, gaslighting

I am trying to find a very succinct way to say this story is a very thin white feminist exploration of hedonism, BDSM themes, (poor) polyamory, sexual desire and vanity. If that seems like a lot of themes at once that's because this book is JAM PACKED with the inner workings of a unlikable late 20 year old.

Eve is unlikable in every sense of the word feeling "unfulfilled" while coasting through life on that coattails of her generational wealth. There are many poignant lines, and and I enjoy some of her thoughts around sex, desire and how for women & femmes those concepts feel flimsy and hard to grasp--and shameful when embraced & celebrated because of our social conditioning.

That's all I can think of right now I will comeback to this review because I have no clue how to even approach Olivia and Nathan the (2) parties involved in the polyam aspect of this book.
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