Reviews

A certain hunger by Chelsea G. Summers

Only show reviews with written explanations

caitlinritchie's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark funny reflective medium-paced

4.0

pbraue13's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

This is a captivating exploration of desire, power, and the complexities of human appetite. Through the lens of protagonist Dorothy Daniels, a successful food critic with a taste for more than just fine cuisine, the novel delves into the darker corners of obsession and compulsion. Summers weaves a narrative that is both seductive and unsettling, as Dorothy navigates her insatiable hunger for both food and control.

The prose is rich and evocative, drawing readers into Dorothy's world with vivid descriptions of decadent meals and the intricate dance of manipulation she orchestrates with those around her. However, while the novel is undeniably engrossing, it occasionally falls short in fully fleshing out its supporting characters, leaving them feeling somewhat two-dimensional. And sometimes the flowery prose can be bordering on word salad.

Overall, "A Certain Hunger" is a thought-provoking read that will linger in the mind long after the final page is turned. Summers' bold exploration of taboo themes and her unapologetic portrayal of a complex female protagonist make this novel a compelling addition to the genre of psychological thrillers.

3.5/5 stars

stefanistucat's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

3.5/5 Read for a book club and definitely out of my usual realm. A bit too graphic at parts for me (particularly as a vegetarian), but overall not bad. I enjoyed the narrator but there were quite a few overly verbose lists/paragraphs that felt unnecessary and tiring to read.

daisberry's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark funny medium-paced

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

4.5

as a food lover this book read like pure poetry - i loved the long run on sentences that illustrated her as if in a trance when describing meals and ingredients and flavours, and then being hit with her terrifying thoughts and actions with how she used her knowledge. it was disturbing and beautiful and it’s making me feel weird! thanks !

discendos's review against another edition

Go to review page

1.0

Gaslight, Girlboss, Gormandize.

I wanted to love this it has everything I could ask for in a summary. However upon opening this book I realised that Chelsea was relying solely on making her character so over the top in everything she said and did instead of providing any actual character development.

The book definitely leans into its satirical nature but not in a way that invites the reader to enjoy or understand Dorothy’s actual motives for what she does. It feels like we’re too dependent on her being a Narcissist rather than any insight.

Most of the time Dorothy’s memories are about as interesting as her food reviews. If she’s not using over the top descriptions to sound cool, she’s using a racial slur to describe a man’s penis.

Yeah Chelsea I had to look that one up, did you feel cool adding it to your book? Was it edgy to use a term that describes black people as being stingy? Did your white liberal arts degree culminate in that moment to feel like you wrote the best little sentence?

This book ultimately falls under white woman feminism and has been falsely advertised as cannibalism as a metaphor for love. This character doesn’t have a heart, and not even in a way that’s interesting. She was completely boring, or insufferable. The worst girl you went to college with, thinks she’s Hannibal Lector. It had so much potential.