ottercorg's review
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I felt this one was sometimes slow, and sometimes confusing. A lot happening, and I couldn't figure out what exactly was going on. But I enjoyed Crosley's writing style well enough, and found the premise compelling.
However. I absolutely hated the ending. So much so that I debated only giving 2 stars.
However. I absolutely hated the ending. So much so that I debated only giving 2 stars.
Spoiler
How the hell is Lola the bad guy at the end? How does Boots get off so easy? Hello? And the sudden death of Clive just falls flat - no pun intended. Just a messy final few chapters, that almost completely ruined the book for me. Good grief.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual content, Alcohol, Cursing, and Death
annoyedhumanoid's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
it had a killer prologue and a promising concept, but its execution with the titular "cult" was not my favorite. i actively disliked the journey and wanted to abandon it but pushed through. . i wish it leaned more into its mystery and grand conspiracy aspects; that would have made its bordering-on-pretentious philosophical musings on love and the human experience more bearable. the main character always had some snarky quip and after a while it became annoying, a guard put up to forgo genuinely engaging with other characters.
also, i would like to propose that the title should have been Cult Following rather than Cult Classic.
Spoiler
the prologue hinted at some unthinkable wrong Clive committed to earn him his death, but in the end it was more deus ex machinaalso, i would like to propose that the title should have been Cult Following rather than Cult Classic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cursing, Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Rape, Death, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Minor: Excrement, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Vomit, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Ableism, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Terminal illness, Homophobia, Blood, and Cancer
booksoflore's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-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
3.0
Immediate reaction (two minutes after finishing it)? I feel underwhelmed. I think this might be because of the narration style. It’s always interesting when audiobooks are read by the authors. You think: here’s the person who should know what everything and everyone should sound like. But they are rarely voice actors or orators. Crosley has a great speaking voice that conveys humor really well but, I found her narration to be a bit lacking. Characters blur into each other as there is little difference between the tones and expressions of even the main characters. Dialogue blurs, which I definitely had to get used to. Overall a slightly lackluster listening experience.
As far as the actual story goes. It was fine. I think Crosley does a really good job of leaning into the unreliable narrator that is Lola. I like that this book focuses on so many relationships but that we only see them through the eyes of this woman who is occasionally very hard to like. She’s a bit of an asshole. And we never get the other side. Which, I like because often times in relationships and breakups, we never really get to know fully what the other person was thinking and feeling. Even Lola’s search for closure in the end was completely about herself and not the literal dozens of people that she’s been involved with. People who have moved on, who have accepted her as a part of their life. Though I wasn’t particularly hooked to this book until about70% through, i think it asks interesting questions about fate, relationships, and the individual nature of closure.
As far as the actual story goes. It was fine. I think Crosley does a really good job of leaning into the unreliable narrator that is Lola. I like that this book focuses on so many relationships but that we only see them through the eyes of this woman who is occasionally very hard to like. She’s a bit of an asshole. And we never get the other side. Which, I like because often times in relationships and breakups, we never really get to know fully what the other person was thinking and feeling. Even Lola’s search for closure in the end was completely about herself and not the literal dozens of people that she’s been involved with. People who have moved on, who have accepted her as a part of their life. Though I wasn’t particularly hooked to this book until about70% through, i think it asks interesting questions about fate, relationships, and the individual nature of closure.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol and Cursing
Minor: Sexual assault
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