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lsmith36's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Good for Bitty Jack
alexandriaeve0194's review against another edition
4.0
A close friend recommended that I read Eating the Cheshire Cat as she thought it would be something I’d enjoy, and she definitely wasn’t wrong. It’s set in Alabama and I’m a Mississippi girl, so I was immediately immersed in the atmosphere of the story. It also made it easy to connect with the characters and their motivations because it felt like I was reading about girls I’ve known my whole life. I also love any book that gets a little cutthroat, and this book absolutely did that. When someone gets their fingers broken in the first chapter, you know it’s gonna be a wild ride. When it’s the character’s mom who does it for her daughter, you know you better buckle the hell down. There was action, drama, teenage angst, various mother-daughter relationship dynamics, and just that sweet Southern dialect to tie it all together.
I can understand why people wouldn’t like this book considering what I’ve mentioned so far. Dark humor isn’t exactly everyone’s favorite flavor, ya know? But if you enjoy dark humor, you’ll be entertained throughout the entirety of the book.
The only reason I gave this a four instead of a five is the way Nicole’s character arc plays out, and how that ultimately affects the ending of the novel. Once you learn about each character’s past and how all their lives intertwine, it would make sense that Bitty Jack and Serena’s stories ended the way that they did. Nicole, however, was just used as a lesbian plot device. I don’t enjoy when gay characters are presented as the villain or conflict in a story. If we would’ve been given more information on how Nicole’s mind works rather than just being shown that she has a shitty overbearing mother, perhaps her actions would have been more believable for me. Regardless, it was a fun read and I’d be willing to pick up other books by this author.
I can understand why people wouldn’t like this book considering what I’ve mentioned so far. Dark humor isn’t exactly everyone’s favorite flavor, ya know? But if you enjoy dark humor, you’ll be entertained throughout the entirety of the book.
The only reason I gave this a four instead of a five is the way Nicole’s character arc plays out, and how that ultimately affects the ending of the novel. Once you learn about each character’s past and how all their lives intertwine, it would make sense that Bitty Jack and Serena’s stories ended the way that they did. Nicole, however, was just used as a lesbian plot device. I don’t enjoy when gay characters are presented as the villain or conflict in a story. If we would’ve been given more information on how Nicole’s mind works rather than just being shown that she has a shitty overbearing mother, perhaps her actions would have been more believable for me. Regardless, it was a fun read and I’d be willing to pick up other books by this author.
demonchicken's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
daidui's review
5.0
Southern society drama at its finest
This book reminds of American Horror Story. As a girl raised in the south, i am familiar with the drama of SEC football, sororities, and keeping up appearances. This book gripped me from the first sentence.
This book reminds of American Horror Story. As a girl raised in the south, i am familiar with the drama of SEC football, sororities, and keeping up appearances. This book gripped me from the first sentence.
dragonarts's review against another edition
4.0
Fun, modern read. Definitely a modern extension of the Southern Gothic genre.
ninij's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gertrude314's review
3.0
This was a story written from the perspective of three girls: Sarina, the beautiful spoiled back stabber; Nicole, Sarina's best friend who would do anything for her; and Bitty Jack, the down to earth girl who is eventually connected to the other two by terrible circumstances that do not benefit her. The story was kooky and kept me interested, but I wouldn't call it memorable or say that it made me feel anything. Good vacation book, I guess!
elena_gilbert's review
5.0
Three ruthless Southern women scheme, obsess, and ruin each other's lives from junior high camp through college homecoming. Cheerleaders, sorority girls, and carnies. Bitchyness, mental illness, and a big diamond ring. AWESOME.
You know it's going to be good when a mom gets her 16 year old very, very drunk so she can take an axe to her oddly shaped pinky fingers, forcing the doctor to set them so they'll be perfectly straight. :D
You know it's going to be good when a mom gets her 16 year old very, very drunk so she can take an axe to her oddly shaped pinky fingers, forcing the doctor to set them so they'll be perfectly straight. :D
anniechannie's review against another edition
dark
funny
relaxing
medium-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? N/A
3.0