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izzy_reads7's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I wouldn't say I have strong feelings towards these characters, but the dynamics were very interesting. It reminded me a lot of The Great Gatsby, but set in 1980s New York rather than the 1920s. We have our main character, Phoebe, who is friends with a lot of people from wealthy backgrounds, socialites, or celebrities. She is very much an outsider looking in at this glamorous New York City lifestyle, and as the reader, I feel like we are in her shoes as well, looking at this outrageous lifestyle. The setting was definitely my favorite part. The vibes of this book are some of the closest that I've read to Taylor Jenkins Reid, especially if you liked Malibu Rising, then you should pick up this book. The writer just did a great job at depicting this time and the seasons that you go through with Phoebe. The writing was fine. The plot is where this gets weird. I don't think the author really knew where she was going with the story. She was just writing until it ended. Basically, the ending was so strange, outlandish, and out there, and I guess it was building up to that, but it just didn't fit with the rest of the story. Overall, though, I really loved the atmosphere of the story, and I would recommend picking up this book, especially if you're into film, movies, and maybe even a little bit of baseball.
kaejo1022's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
astridcoucke's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
novelvisits's review against another edition
3.0
ASTRID SEES ALL is the story of a young woman, Phoebe, trying to make her way in New York in 1984. Complicating her life is the recent loss of her father, her best friend, Carmen, who Phoebe aspires to be more like, but perhaps isn’t the greatest role model for her, and the never ending quest to stay afloat financially. That problem is eased a bit when she becomes a fortune teller, Astrid, at a one of the many clubs frequented by her crowd. When Carmen disappears after the two argued, Phoebe becomes increasingly haunted by the people she’s lost.
While Astrid Sees All was enjoyable, the premise was just too usual. I feel like we’ve seen the “girl making it in New York” too many times. To be a great story, it needs to be really different, and sadly, Astrid just wasn’t. I also though that it was odd that a book taking place in 1984 in the East Village, barely hinted at the AIDS crisis. The ending was interesting, and took me by surprise, but also felt very rushed and a little out there. For me this one was more of a miss than a hit.
Note: I received an electronic copy of this book from Atria Books (via NetGalley) in exchange for my honest thoughts.
While Astrid Sees All was enjoyable, the premise was just too usual. I feel like we’ve seen the “girl making it in New York” too many times. To be a great story, it needs to be really different, and sadly, Astrid just wasn’t. I also though that it was odd that a book taking place in 1984 in the East Village, barely hinted at the AIDS crisis. The ending was interesting, and took me by surprise, but also felt very rushed and a little out there. For me this one was more of a miss than a hit.
Note: I received an electronic copy of this book from Atria Books (via NetGalley) in exchange for my honest thoughts.
faithgeiger's review against another edition
3.0
I feel like I should’ve loved it (classic Young Girl Making It In the Big City Faithcore) and I would’ve liked it a lot more if the writing were better! still fun tho I guess. would make a good miniseries.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up - This was a bit of a dark read but I loved the 1980s club scene vibe as we follow 23 year old Phoebe trying to make it on her own in the big city. Sort of a gritty mix between Girls and Sex and the City, Phoebe is dealing with grief over her Dad's recent death, feeling betrayed by her best friend, drug abuse, unwanted pregnancies, affairs with older married men, etc. There's a lot going on but interspersed are lots of fun 80s references - my favorite was to the old Disney movie Darby O'Gill and the little people!! (I had that on VHS and it's the best LOL). Eventually Phoebe turns her fake psychic party trick using old movie ticket stubs into an advice column for a city paper and gets her feet under her but it is a bumpy journey getting there! The narrative does jump around a bit in time without warning and I found that confusing at times, but overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend if you're in the mood for some 80s nostalgia.
CW: abortion, drug abuse, death of a parent
CW: abortion, drug abuse, death of a parent
maeflowers11's review against another edition
3.0
wanted to rate this 3.5! found the story compelling and bittersweet, kind of like that candy from winn dixie (the book) that was supposed to taste like melancholy. quickest read i’ve had in a while and the story definitely kept me pulled in. i mean it’s about 20 something’s living in nyc in the 80s, how can you not want to keep reading it!
nlwisz's review against another edition
5.0
New York City, where all things are possible and where life can be everything you dream of, if only you can make it. In Astrid Sees All, Maryland transplant Phoebe is immediately starstruck by college classmate Carmen—a cool, edgy New Yorker with a penchant for living on the wild side. Phoebe’s association with Carmen soon gives her a taste of "the golden world,” and she can't look back.
What follows is a dark and captivating narrative of the girls' post-college year as they navigate the seedy underbelly of NYC and the glitzy, bizarre club scene of the 1980s. Phoebe is naive and hopeful, an impressionable social climber toting a strong case of impostor syndrome. Along with the magnetic and troubled Carmen, the pair soon find themselves rubbing elbows with the It Crowd—but what you do is never as important as who you know.
Astrid Sees All is a fresh, wild take on the “down-on-her-luck girl reinvents herself” story. You’ll be hooked from beginning to end.
TW: heavy drug abuse, sexual abuse
Thank you to Library Journal and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What follows is a dark and captivating narrative of the girls' post-college year as they navigate the seedy underbelly of NYC and the glitzy, bizarre club scene of the 1980s. Phoebe is naive and hopeful, an impressionable social climber toting a strong case of impostor syndrome. Along with the magnetic and troubled Carmen, the pair soon find themselves rubbing elbows with the It Crowd—but what you do is never as important as who you know.
Astrid Sees All is a fresh, wild take on the “down-on-her-luck girl reinvents herself” story. You’ll be hooked from beginning to end.
TW: heavy drug abuse, sexual abuse
Thank you to Library Journal and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.