Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Boy Parts by Eliza Clark

11 reviews

alexandraemjly's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense 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

4.0

A dark and gritty read which at parts is genuinely horrifying but is equally painfully honest and raw. This book tackles uncomfortable, disturbing, and explicit topics that aren't for everyone, and makes it something you can't read to enjoy. But just because it isn't a friendly book, doesn't mean it shouldn't be read. It makes you think, and makes you angry, and makes you more willing to criticise.

 

The protagonist, Irina, whose perspective narrates this story is deeply unlikeable and is not redeemable in any capacity. She is the epitome of a female manipulator, exploitative, narcissistic, violent, and completely incapable of feeling or exhibiting remorse for her actions. And yet the way in which her struggles and reactions engage with the issues of consent, gender norms, and traditional power imbalances mean that the dissection of the social discourse around such topics is that much more brutally tangible. The reader is uncomfortable throughout reading this but it is one of those books that proceeds to nag at you for ages after you finish it.

However, the ending was very frustrating. it feels like everything in the book sort of slots into place and you begin to, in a warped way, understand why Irina is the way she is. and you start to resonate with her pain more while being even more disgusted with her actions. and then it just...ends?
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