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minamouse's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
Minor: Xenophobia and War
hgullegrogan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
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
I started reading this book before I knew anything about it, because I put my trust in the StoryGraph AI (I still do by the way). Given this, I was very quickly put off with the content of this book. Maybe 50 pages into the book, Rachel has a sexual fantasy about her coworker. Sure, I get it. BUT, her fantasy is that her coworker is actually her mother, and she's having SEX with her. I did not sign up for incest fantasies. A check of the book's summary hints that sexual desire will be addressed, but certainly not in this way.
Unfortunately, the book contains multiple shocking sexual fantasies. It's clear that the author is trying to symbolize Rachel's various dysfunctional personal relationships in this way, but I don't believe it to be effective.
As off-putting as these sexual moments are, I'm most irritated by the laundry list of mental illnesses the author gave Rachel, without putting the thought and time into portraying them authentically. For instance, Rachel starts out anorexic, but after falling in love, is cured of her eating disorder. Then, Rachel struggles with her Jewish and Sexual identities, both of which are hinted at but never discussed in a meaningful way.
In addition to all this, Rachel is a sexual predator. She forces herself onto Miriam, disregards her boundaries, and masterbates in a PUBLIC gym right next to a stranger! So gross. Despite these abhorring behaviors, it is clear that MB considers Rachel a relatable, lovable character.
I feel that if MB chose one topic to delve into, her story could have been much better and far more meaningful. The stark honesty and casual writing style are completely up my alley, which is why the AI's recommendation of this book is understandable to me. And, I will continue to trust the AI suggestions.
Ultimately, I read this book quickly, because I was drawn into the shock of the story, but I would not recommend it, because it encourages harmful behaviors and provides no meaningful discourse on any of them.
Unfortunately, the book contains multiple shocking sexual fantasies. It's clear that the author is trying to symbolize Rachel's various dysfunctional personal relationships in this way, but I don't believe it to be effective.
As off-putting as these sexual moments are, I'm most irritated by the laundry list of mental illnesses the author gave Rachel, without putting the thought and time into portraying them authentically. For instance, Rachel starts out anorexic, but after falling in love, is cured of her eating disorder. Then, Rachel struggles with her Jewish and Sexual identities, both of which are hinted at but never discussed in a meaningful way.
In addition to all this, Rachel is a sexual predator. She forces herself onto Miriam, disregards her boundaries, and masterbates in a PUBLIC gym right next to a stranger! So gross. Despite these abhorring behaviors, it is clear that MB considers Rachel a relatable, lovable character.
I feel that if MB chose one topic to delve into, her story could have been much better and far more meaningful. The stark honesty and casual writing style are completely up my alley, which is why the AI's recommendation of this book is understandable to me. And, I will continue to trust the AI suggestions.
Ultimately, I read this book quickly, because I was drawn into the shock of the story, but I would not recommend it, because it encourages harmful behaviors and provides no meaningful discourse on any of them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Incest, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault and Xenophobia
harperthomson's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Homophobia, Sexual content, Xenophobia, and Islamophobia
Moderate: Fatphobia
ribbenkast's review against another edition
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
The book cover, the blurb on the back and some of these reviews prepared me for a really weird gross and unhinged book. I was fully prepared for some type of breast milk feederism stuff or something. None of this came through. The book was enjoyable nonetheless but this was a severe case of mismanagement expectations.
Instead we just got an overely honest internal dialogue. The weirdness comes from the main character Rachel having a severe eating disorder, mommy issues and some slightly more uncomen kinks but nothing as wild as I was let to expect. She's slowly coming to terms with the fact that not everyone lives the way she does. All of this sone through in a scene where she unhingedly eats a sundae early in the book. Which admittedly was incredibly funny.
The promised weirdness reaches its peak very early on and kind off flat lines after. This makes the book drag a bit in the middle.
The ending makes up for it though, every piece of the book comes together perfectly. I found the ending very worthwhile.
This book is also very much about being Jewish and what it means to be and to be raised (American) Jewish. I myself am not Jewish and i suspect that I lack a bit of cultural context to fully take in that part of the book.
Instead we just got an overely honest internal dialogue. The weirdness comes from the main character Rachel having a severe eating disorder, mommy issues and some slightly more uncomen kinks but nothing as wild as I was let to expect. She's slowly coming to terms with the fact that not everyone lives the way she does. All of this sone through in a scene where she unhingedly eats a sundae early in the book. Which admittedly was incredibly funny.
The promised weirdness reaches its peak very early on and kind off flat lines after. This makes the book drag a bit in the middle.
The ending makes up for it though, every piece of the book comes together perfectly. I found the ending very worthwhile.
This book is also very much about being Jewish and what it means to be and to be raised (American) Jewish. I myself am not Jewish and i suspect that I lack a bit of cultural context to fully take in that part of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, and Outing
There zionists views being expressed by some of the characters. Whilst the text is leaning on anti-zionism I can imagine a character voicing those ideas can be pretty triggering.jbfletcher's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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: Eating disorder and Xenophobia
extracelestial's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I know this book is decisive but I really enjoyed it. To me it reflected how much we, especially women, are raised to suppress and deprive ourselves, and how learning to live outside that mindset can be difficult and messy. A lot of the book was crude, but it felt honest to me, likely because I read a lot of romance and the explicit desire and lust felt like a small way Rachel was getting closer to appreciating her own body as she learned to regulate. I certainly don’t think this is for everyone, but it was the right amount of mess and transformation for me.
PS - It was incredible to read this book in December 2023, 60+ days into the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Some moments of confronting Zionism in the book feel otherworldly, knowing that these conversations have been happening for decades. I really felt for Rachel during the confrontation with Miriam’s mom— a real mourning for my Jewish friends who have had part of their identity/culture weaponized against them as they question Israeli occupation and speak up for Palestinian liberation.
PS - It was incredible to read this book in December 2023, 60+ days into the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Some moments of confronting Zionism in the book feel otherworldly, knowing that these conversations have been happening for decades. I really felt for Rachel during the confrontation with Miriam’s mom— a real mourning for my Jewish friends who have had part of their identity/culture weaponized against them as they question Israeli occupation and speak up for Palestinian liberation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia
elderwoodreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was my first book by Broder and I will certainly be reading more. I did have a heads up this would be weird going in which I think helped, but I think the weird was used well and was necessary. I personally liked the ending, however, I get why others didn't. I like endings where there is some realism about how much people are able/willing to change for each other, but I definitely get that it's frustrating
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Lesbophobia, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Biphobia, Genocide, Xenophobia, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, and War
rachaelwho's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Minor: Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Colonisation, and War
liliflynn's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Xenophobia, Antisemitism, and War
shingekiyes's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
fast-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
i will never recover from this book. it was like looking into a mirror. a dirty, 7/11 in the middle of no where, warped, shattered, perverted mirror that hangs upside down, but still a mirror just the same.
i’ve never read a character like rachel, so raw and broken and… stupid. an asshole raised by a narcissist, a girl with no shame but all the shame in the world. she broke my heart, made me laugh, make me cry, and made me nauseous all at once.
this book is a look down the barrel of the gun that is “mothers and daughters.” this book captures exactly how it feels to be a complete and utter train wreck who can trace all of their issues back to their mother. not for the feeble minded or weak stomached.
highly recommend for the (mentally and emotionally stable/healed) girlies with mommy issues, problems with food or a history with eating disorders, girls questioning their sexuality, the ex-christians and lapsed Jews, and anyone who thinks hallucinating a wise rabbi and Chinese food might be the answer to all of their problems.
i’ve never read a character like rachel, so raw and broken and… stupid. an asshole raised by a narcissist, a girl with no shame but all the shame in the world. she broke my heart, made me laugh, make me cry, and made me nauseous all at once.
this book is a look down the barrel of the gun that is “mothers and daughters.” this book captures exactly how it feels to be a complete and utter train wreck who can trace all of their issues back to their mother. not for the feeble minded or weak stomached.
highly recommend for the (mentally and emotionally stable/healed) girlies with mommy issues, problems with food or a history with eating disorders, girls questioning their sexuality, the ex-christians and lapsed Jews, and anyone who thinks hallucinating a wise rabbi and Chinese food might be the answer to all of their problems.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Xenophobia, Vomit, Antisemitism, and War