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ssaammii's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
3.75
This novel resonated with me due to the familiarity of the setting and context which I myself have lived. I do not think I would have been as compelled had it not been for the mirror it seemed to provide for the relationships I had during my late teens and early 20s.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent
mother_of_theo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
crispy_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Death, Sexism, and Car accident
Minor: Death of parent
bookstorian's review against another edition
3.5
Another book that has been on my shelves for too long, patiently awaiting to be chosen. I have been absolutely tearing through books this month and finally had the itch to pick up Love and Virtue, partly too due to Diana's new release 'Seeing Other People'.
Two College dwelling females, Michaela and Eve, meet during their first year of university, not only are they both studying philosophy, they also share adjacent rooms in Fairfax, one of the university's problematic Colleges. 'Love and Virtue' explores loneliness, belonging, sexual assault, consent, complex relationships, memory, institutional privilege and own voices.
Although I initially wasn't vibing with the pretentious and privileged College kids, I persisted with this novel, determined to see just where Michaela's relationships went and what Eve was truly up to. Although I didn't go to university in Sydney, the place was very easy to create in my mind and Diana's lyrical and poetic writing style was hard to look over. In addition, the way so many themes and topics were craft-fully explored was also a real triumph.
Some things that I struggled with, especially at the start of the book, was how long it took me to get into it - I even put it down at one stage thinking I wasn't coming back to it. It really wasn't until the half way point that the plot took a turn and my interest peaked. I think it was due to the fact that it was a world removed from my own university experiences (I don't doubt it exists though) so I struggled to sink in to it and I also found the characters to be tiresome, did I really want to read a book about them? By the second half of the book my perceptions changed, however it took some persistence to get there!
Overall, I am glad that I have read this book, while I struggled with some elements of it, I think it carries and important message about so many issues and is a reflection of many young peoples experiences in higher education institutions.
Two College dwelling females, Michaela and Eve, meet during their first year of university, not only are they both studying philosophy, they also share adjacent rooms in Fairfax, one of the university's problematic Colleges. 'Love and Virtue' explores loneliness, belonging, sexual assault, consent, complex relationships, memory, institutional privilege and own voices.
Although I initially wasn't vibing with the pretentious and privileged College kids, I persisted with this novel, determined to see just where Michaela's relationships went and what Eve was truly up to. Although I didn't go to university in Sydney, the place was very easy to create in my mind and Diana's lyrical and poetic writing style was hard to look over. In addition, the way so many themes and topics were craft-fully explored was also a real triumph.
Some things that I struggled with, especially at the start of the book, was how long it took me to get into it - I even put it down at one stage thinking I wasn't coming back to it. It really wasn't until the half way point that the plot took a turn and my interest peaked. I think it was due to the fact that it was a world removed from my own university experiences (I don't doubt it exists though) so I struggled to sink in to it and I also found the characters to be tiresome, did I really want to read a book about them? By the second half of the book my perceptions changed, however it took some persistence to get there!
Overall, I am glad that I have read this book, while I struggled with some elements of it, I think it carries and important message about so many issues and is a reflection of many young peoples experiences in higher education institutions.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
arkierose's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
Minor: Classism
readwithchar's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, and Grief
Minor: Suicide and Death of parent
emsky's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Alcohol
balfies's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Do you like reading complex, intimate, witty, intelligent stories about consent and power and morality and the cultures of the colleges at The University of Sydney? Read this regardless of your answer.
It's also surreal to read about usyd, but about MY usyd, and about where in feminist space-time the campus was when I was there. Also wild to read a book set in the suburb I live in.
I really need to emphasise just how nuanced and precise and cutting and bright this book is, though. An absolute must read, 10/10 for me.
It's also surreal to read about usyd, but about MY usyd, and about where in feminist space-time the campus was when I was there. Also wild to read a book set in the suburb I live in.
I really need to emphasise just how nuanced and precise and cutting and bright this book is, though. An absolute must read, 10/10 for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Car accident, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
katescake's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-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
3.5
The characters of this book, regardless of their depth, felt so realistic to the setting.
The development and unravelling of eve in her glory was captivating.
I think the way the novel tackled privilege and power within individual relationships and larger groups was interestingly reflective of the spaces that I too am a part of.
From the blurb, was expecting fruity. Unfortunately, it did not serve fruity like I may have hoped.
The development and unravelling of eve in her glory was captivating.
I think the way the novel tackled privilege and power within individual relationships and larger groups was interestingly reflective of the spaces that I too am a part of.
From the blurb, was expecting fruity. Unfortunately, it did not serve fruity like I may have hoped.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Death of parent
katieb_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, and Sexual assault
Minor: Vomit, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship