bxlbooks91's review against another edition
4.0
Hope this book will receive some hype. Very interesting, beautifully written queer novel about a destructive relationship.
4*
4*
jaclynday's review against another edition
4.0
Stunning/brilliant use of language. More modern art than novel.
vonneguts's review against another edition
4.0
let this be a lesson for me about judging books on the yadda, yadda, yadda. I was told it was going to be a disturbing book. Comparable to Palahniuk's Haunted.
The thing is I did not find this novel very disturbing, at least not in the way I thought it would be. It's not simply the actions of the two leads that are disturbing it's the fact that you find yourself relating and sympathizing with them and their darkest behaviors. Where Haunted uses horror Oola uses love, and both are wonderfully disturbing. The pacing is slow and meticulous with only about 3 well placed scenes where I was horrified by the physical acts described but what truly upset me (and kept me reading!) was realizing I had developed such an attachment to both of the characters that even when I hated them, I loved them. That is why I will recomend this debut and look up anythong else Newell creates. Sometimes the path to our darkside is through love and this novel will take you there.
The thing is I did not find this novel very disturbing, at least not in the way I thought it would be. It's not simply the actions of the two leads that are disturbing it's the fact that you find yourself relating and sympathizing with them and their darkest behaviors. Where Haunted uses horror Oola uses love, and both are wonderfully disturbing. The pacing is slow and meticulous with only about 3 well placed scenes where I was horrified by the physical acts described but what truly upset me (and kept me reading!) was realizing I had developed such an attachment to both of the characters that even when I hated them, I loved them. That is why I will recomend this debut and look up anythong else Newell creates. Sometimes the path to our darkside is through love and this novel will take you there.
i_masad's review against another edition
5.0
This is such a fucking incredible book. I have so many thoughts and feelings. I also really really really relate in so many ways to the protagonist (which is often disturbing) and I want to write about this book SO. BADLY.
friend0's review against another edition
Not enough genderfuck, too much obsessive emo white boy
_sophiereads's review against another edition
5.0
It's so hard to write about this book because this book is so beautifully written. Oola by 21-year-old debut author Brittany Newell is edgy, lyrical, and full of heart. This novel won't be for everyone, but in the right hands, its readers will fall in love.
Oola is a completely original story of obsession gone wrong. In a strange hybrid between Lolita and Caroline Kepnes's You, the reader is sucked into the depths of Leif's fixation. Swept away by the young couple's whimsical sense of invincibility, you almost miss the madness that slowly seeps in as Leif builds a shrine of Oola. Observing her every move, capturing fallen strands of hair and used tissues - Leif's actions almost seem charming under the guise of Newell's gorgeous writing. It isn't until you set the book down that you realize the disturbing reality built by the two lovers.
Although, don't pick this book up with the expectation of a firey and fast-paced story. This novel is entirely character-driven, a dive into the mind of someone in the throughs of obsession. It is raw and intense, and at times, brings into question the boundaries of gender. If you love character studies and passionate prose - this one is for you.
Oola is a completely original story of obsession gone wrong. In a strange hybrid between Lolita and Caroline Kepnes's You, the reader is sucked into the depths of Leif's fixation. Swept away by the young couple's whimsical sense of invincibility, you almost miss the madness that slowly seeps in as Leif builds a shrine of Oola. Observing her every move, capturing fallen strands of hair and used tissues - Leif's actions almost seem charming under the guise of Newell's gorgeous writing. It isn't until you set the book down that you realize the disturbing reality built by the two lovers.
Although, don't pick this book up with the expectation of a firey and fast-paced story. This novel is entirely character-driven, a dive into the mind of someone in the throughs of obsession. It is raw and intense, and at times, brings into question the boundaries of gender. If you love character studies and passionate prose - this one is for you.
jkrnomad's review against another edition
4.0
Weird, dark, obsessive...reminded me at times of the characters in The Secret History.
averyking's review against another edition
5.0
This book was intense. The way the author handles the presentation and emotions in her characters was certainly fascinating. I'm not sure what else to say about this book, honestly. Maybe more thoughts will come to me in time.
bxlbooks91's review against another edition
4.0
Hope this book will receive some hype. Very interesting, beautifully written queer novel about a destructive relationship.
4*
4*