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jourdanicus's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
When I finished this book, my first thought was, "what?" But that's never a bad thing. I love to read unlikeable characters and boy howdy did Arnett serve some up big time. Recommend for anyone who enjoys being stressed out by fictional people and/or yells things along the lines of "what are you DOING?" when characters make bad choices in movies, etc.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, and Kidnapping
Minor: Infidelity and Sexual content
alylentz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I think Kristen Arnett is a very talented writer, but her books frustrate me because they focus on characters in self-destructive situations and it feels like we make no progress with them until all at once, in the last 50 pages or less, things suddenly change. The ending of this book is strong and interesting, and I think overall this book grabbed me more than her last (there were points where I couldn't put it down, despite my conflicted feelings). I also feel like I'm in the minority in that I really loved the little slices of outsider POV. I know I'll continue to think about these characters, but reading her books are a bracing and intense experience, and I'm not sure they're right for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Miscarriage, Sexual content, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Infidelity
caseythereader's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
- This book was by no means an easy read - like Arnett's previous work, it was even downright difficult and uncomfortable at times. However, I truly appreciate that we've arrived at a place where not every queer character must be a perfect person, and we can explore messy and unlikable characters.
- I was there for the examination of queer adult/married life, and how the characters struggled with trying to match heterosexual norms while also losing their connections to other queer people.
- Every character in this book is just horrid and makes such terrible decisions, and yet you can't help but feel for them. It's quite a trick, and Arnett is the master of it.
- I was there for the examination of queer adult/married life, and how the characters struggled with trying to match heterosexual norms while also losing their connections to other queer people.
- Every character in this book is just horrid and makes such terrible decisions, and yet you can't help but feel for them. It's quite a trick, and Arnett is the master of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
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