Reviews

Kittentits by Holly Wilson

macaronsandmermaids's review against another edition

challenging dark sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Racism, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, Grief, Toxic friendship, Drug use, and Ableism

librovermo's review against another edition

4.25

I’d like to thank Netgalley and Gillian Flynn Books, from whom I received an ARC of the audiobook. All opinions are my own.

I wasn’t sure about the Kittentits audiobook when I started it because to be perfectly honest, I didn’t like the narrator. I kept listening anyway because sometimes narrators grow on me, and I’m glad I did because Stephanie Willing really worked for Kittentits. I especially loved her voice for Jeanie, as she did a great job of bringing out Jeanie’s casual indifference and annoyance towards Molly.

Holly Wilson found a really great balance of writing in the tone of a child but with the style of an adult. Kittentits felt a lot like reading the diary of a 10-year-old girl. It’s written in first-person, and Molly sounds very much like a child, but it doesn’t feel like reading a children’s book.

There’s some offensive language used throughout Kittentits but in my opinion, there are two different kinds of authors when it comes to offensive material. Those that use it just for shock value, and those that use it because it’s an accurate representation of their character’s behavior and the setting. Holly Wilson doesn’t use offensive language just because she wants to shock people. In 1992, Molly uses these words because she’s a kid who thinks it’s badass. She also knows her dad doesn’t like it and she wants attention that she isn’t receiving. She’s lonely and has a lot of anger and grief she doesn’t know what to do with. This is how it comes out.

I didn’t have any preconceived notions of where the story would go after jeanie faked her death and Molly set out on her adventure but it definitely went way beyond anywhere I would have guessed and into some pretty surreal territory I wasn’t expecting.

Kittentits is my favorite kind of weird book. I thought I’d like it but I enjoyed it even more than I thought I would. I’ve thought about Molly, a little girl I think I’d have been great friends with as a kid, several times in the days since I’ve finished it, and I expect I’ll think of her from time to time in the future.

taliwa's review against another edition

3.0

3/5

This read like a fever dream. Never did I know where the plot was going. It was entertaining at points, but also disgustingly descriptive in many scenes. I just could not get attached to any of the characters or the story. 

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. 

bdholloway256's review against another edition

3.0

 

Ok who would not be intrigued by a title like Kittentits? I received the audiobook of this title and I have mixed feelings.  I feel like some people will love this. I am still thinking this one over and deciding how I feel. If I were to rate it right now, I’m gonna say a 3 star listen. It will definitely make you laugh out loud.  

Thank you NetGalley & Dreamscape Select|Gillian Flynn Books for an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.  

 

bibliovino's review against another edition

dark emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Super fucking ridiculous and amazing, this insightful look at trauma and loss through the eyes of a magical and maniacal 10-year old is an emotional roller coaster. From laugh out loud shenanigans to gut wrenching emotional pain, you won’t know what’s coming! I think you’ll love the irreverence, the nonstop action and the beautiful tragedy. 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy. These opinions are my own.

barnstormingbooks's review

dark funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Not going to lie, I requested this audiobook solely based on the title. I needed a laugh, and this provided it. One of the reviews called it unhinged and that is an apt description. One that could sound like a very somber tale of a child dealing with the trauma of loss and the neglect of a parent overwhelmed… Which is technically true, but enter a Quaker house that takes in recent paroles, a foul mouthed 10 year old looking for any and every way to be subversive, a pair of surgically separated conjoined twins, various ghosts, and an attempt at necromancy and the reader is in for a wild ride. 

Set in 1992, this book is a time capsule of that time, with references that other young Gen X and old Millennials will love. This book also revels in the language of the day, which undoubtedly is sexist, racist and homophobic. Kittentits is one of the many nicknames given to our 10 year old protagonist who loves to find creative and often disturbing ways to interact with the world. 

Stephanie Willing seems to really enjoy yelling out the strings of creative profanities of this book. I laughed. A lot. The kind of laughter that can only happen when watching a train-wreck of an interaction, but you know everyone will walk away at least okay.

kaylarage's review against another edition

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

undermeyou's review

5.0

I thought I was going to hate this when it first started, but I grew to love it pretty quickly. The needy preteen with the newly adult teen dynamic was pretty accurate and I love books that mix the paranormal in in a non-horror, non whimsical way. The ghosts are just other characters like it just is a natural thing happening. Thanks Dreamscape and NetGalley for the arc

brin3543's review against another edition

funny slow-paced

2.0

I wanted to like this book because the title is hilarious. But I just couldn't connect to the main characters or the  swearing. The narrator for the novel did a good job with the audiobook. Maybe this would be a better one to read vs. listening too. 

saminfineprint's review

dark funny lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

I physically cannot star rate this book. I hate it. I love it.