Reviews tagging 'Classism'

Byłam Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh

17 reviews

o3tri's review against another edition

dark slow-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

1.5

Hollow, pointless and surface level.

Would've given it 0.5 if it wasn't for the last few pages

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Fatphobia, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, and Vomit

Moderate: Animal death, Fatphobia, Racism, and Classism

katieohara's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

4.25

I think that this book is one of the best examples of a character study that I have read this year. As a native New Englander if also has a certain sense of for lack of a better word, dark charm for me. However, the book is hurtling you to this big bad moment that it hints at, but it just didn’t feel as bad as I was expecting. But honestly I might just be a spoiled reader to used to the horrifying details of murder podcasts and criminal minds. Perhaps what happened is sick enough and the author is making a subtle point that if you are looking for perversion you are no better than the spoiled rich girl not realizing her idealism has consequences.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Incest, Mental illness, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Lesbophobia, and Classism

oddreads_nicolestins's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

So much of this book was about making us understand how "perverse" or "deviant" Eileen was in her mid-20s. I couldn't really enjoy this book because everything was framed so negatively except her "love interests" and quick statements about her experience as an aged woman. Eileen was basically angry, depressed, and emotionally stunted so badly that she made bad decisions. That's usually how it goes, and there are so many stories like this- I can't  say how this is more "playful, shocking, or witty" (NYT review blurb 😂) than similar stories.

As for the writing style, it was okay. There were no major flaws that put me off. It just wasn't as good as I thought it would be- and of course the constant references to weight or food were very annoying. I had heard that her books were fatphobic and after reading just this book I can see that.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Vomit, Kidnapping, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Child abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Classism

nabila99's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Incest, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Stalking, Murder, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Drug use, Racism, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Abortion, and Classism

sarahgr's review against another edition

dark reflective tense slow-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, and Alcohol

Moderate: Body shaming, Cursing, Drug use, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Excrement, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

taylorroseship's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense slow-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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Incest, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

toffishay's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Eileen is such a unique main character. She is horrible and interesting and lonely and sad and I couldn't stop following her. I do wish that the third act happened a little sooner and that we could have followed Eileen more after the action. And the end really did shock me! I really enjoyed this book, it is my favorite so far of Moshfegh's work.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, and Vomit

Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement, Gun violence, Torture, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Police brutality, Stalking, and Classism