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kkpines's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
girl there’s medication for these kind of things
incredibly stagnant book with a delusional narrator.. starts off with a lot of unhinged promise and delves into a slightly pathetic, whiney, narcissistic stream of consciousness.
two(ish?) stars
incredibly stagnant book with a delusional narrator.. starts off with a lot of unhinged promise and delves into a slightly pathetic, whiney, narcissistic stream of consciousness.
two(ish?) stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Bullying
thebigameiseverynight's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Domestic abuse
withlivjones's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Reading this felt like watching reality TV. Unfortunately, I don’t like watching reality TV.
The premise was very intriguing, and I am generally a fan of unlikeable characters. I really liked the commentary on race and class at first, but eventually it started to sound like Patel was saying the same thing each time in very slightly different ways. The prose reads like slam poetry at times and jury’s still out on whether or not I enjoyed it. I did laugh at a few of the chapter titles, though, they felt very Tumblr-esque. I see myself potentially returning to this book in the future in case I missed the hype the first time around.
The premise was very intriguing, and I am generally a fan of unlikeable characters. I really liked the commentary on race and class at first, but eventually it started to sound like Patel was saying the same thing each time in very slightly different ways. The prose reads like slam poetry at times and jury’s still out on whether or not I enjoyed it. I did laugh at a few of the chapter titles, though, they felt very Tumblr-esque. I see myself potentially returning to this book in the future in case I missed the hype the first time around.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Racism and Sexism
nniamhh's review against another edition
challenging
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Classism
Moderate: Emotional abuse
joduewekeperez's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Colonisation, Addiction, and Emotional abuse
novi's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Some (a lot of?) reviewers said that the protagonist was unlikable and you disagree with her but then she said things that you really agree with, but in my perspective, that's a pious statement lol. So this book is kinda has 2 parts: one about this girl's life (her infidelity and obsession towards this man and this man's other mistress) and one about her (SHARP) thoughts on whiteness from her point of view as a POC. So you know which one you're supposed to agree with and which one you're not. But for me it's not as simple as that bc 1) both parts are interwoven: in structure of this book and in the mind of a complex character; 2) the protagonist was very aware of what she did (her cheating and obsession) were not healthy, it almost felt like what's written on this book is her reflection after everything already happened and now she's not doing all that anymore. So, idk. I sometimes relate to her obsession and posessiveness too, I think it's human and animalistic at the same time, which i feel for time to time but I don't always act on it. So. Sue me. So i think it makes this book feel raw, in that sense.
That aside, i love the writing. This book has basically no plot, but i enjoyed the journey. I underlined SO much. Her criticism about white supremacy, patriarchy, influencer and wellness culture were sharp, witty, and refreshing. Would love to read more from this author.
That aside, i love the writing. This book has basically no plot, but i enjoyed the journey. I underlined SO much. Her criticism about white supremacy, patriarchy, influencer and wellness culture were sharp, witty, and refreshing. Would love to read more from this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Stalking
crawforl's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Stalking, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Classism and Racism
chronicacademia's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Classism, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Stalking
Moderate: Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Adult/minor relationship, Sexism, Cultural appropriation, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Racism, and Misogyny
floatinthevoid's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It tried.
There are some aspects that I really like, but there are more aspects that disappoint my expectation.
I like the overly specific description of luxury things. Or the jab at wealthy white public figures' hypocrisy, or the exploration between themes like power, intimacy, obsession, algorithm, privilege, etc.
But.
The social commentary itself doesn't feel natural to me, because instead of trying to incorporate those social themes in the story, the author instead write it like a punch line in an article of essay with an overtly quirky choice of words that doesn't make sense.
Also, I know that an unreliable narrator often use inconsistency to entice the reader what's real or not. But there's a big gap in between the plot that feels too jarring.
I agree with other reviewers that it's a bit repetitive. The ending is unsatisfactory too to say the least.
So take it with a grain of salt whatever people say about this book.
There are some aspects that I really like, but there are more aspects that disappoint my expectation.
I like the overly specific description of luxury things. Or the jab at wealthy white public figures' hypocrisy, or the exploration between themes like power, intimacy, obsession, algorithm, privilege, etc.
But.
The social commentary itself doesn't feel natural to me, because instead of trying to incorporate those social themes in the story, the author instead write it like a punch line in an article of essay with an overtly quirky choice of words that doesn't make sense.
Also, I know that an unreliable narrator often use inconsistency to entice the reader what's real or not. But there's a big gap in between the plot that feels too jarring.
I agree with other reviewers that it's a bit repetitive. The ending is unsatisfactory too to say the least.
So take it with a grain of salt whatever people say about this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Mental illness
Moderate: Violence and Toxic relationship
Minor: Physical abuse
velvet_young's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
Minor: Domestic abuse