The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
anikajaneb's review against another edition
4.0
funny and realistically morally mediocre characters and the power of being stubborn and I'm glad I'm vegetarian
malloryhunt's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
benrogerswpg's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting book!
I really enjoyed the narrative on the big meat industry and capitalism.
It definitely had some good moments.
2.9/5
I really enjoyed the narrative on the big meat industry and capitalism.
It definitely had some good moments.
2.9/5
wrenlee's review against another edition
5.0
This book is beautiful. Such a gem. I’m really happy I came back to re-read it, so big shoutout to my book club for forcing me to.
It’s hard to describe everything I love about this book. For one, it’s the split perspective that show two sides of a similar story about pregnancy, autonomy, and female empowerment. And I gotta say I love Akiko’s ending. Just beautiful.
I love how raw Jane’s story is. It’s heartbreaking to read about her fertility issues but so engaging to see how her story ties into the larger one about the meat industry. She deals with so many complex issues such as infertility, sexism in the film and tv industry, being mixed race, sexual liberation and choice, and more. I love her complex relationship with Sloan. I love her grit and tenacity. I love her character arc where she gains agency and determination.
And the whole documentary aspect, both with the fictional My American Wife show and the truths revealed through the book itself, is wonderful. Each wife is just fabulous, showing the diversity in America. And I mean that for real.
I was so close to tears reading this book, not just because of the content but also because of its message. This book came out swinging with its perspective on life, love, and food, and I am here for it. I’d love nothing more than to see this as a tv show. It’d be amazing.
It’s hard to describe everything I love about this book. For one, it’s the split perspective that show two sides of a similar story about pregnancy, autonomy, and female empowerment. And I gotta say I love Akiko’s ending. Just beautiful.
I love how raw Jane’s story is. It’s heartbreaking to read about her fertility issues but so engaging to see how her story ties into the larger one about the meat industry. She deals with so many complex issues such as infertility, sexism in the film and tv industry, being mixed race, sexual liberation and choice, and more. I love her complex relationship with Sloan. I love her grit and tenacity. I love her character arc where she gains agency and determination.
And the whole documentary aspect, both with the fictional My American Wife show and the truths revealed through the book itself, is wonderful. Each wife is just fabulous, showing the diversity in America. And I mean that for real.
I was so close to tears reading this book, not just because of the content but also because of its message. This book came out swinging with its perspective on life, love, and food, and I am here for it. I’d love nothing more than to see this as a tv show. It’d be amazing.
faheemah's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
elangowitz's review against another edition
3.0
Wish I could give it 3.5 stars--the central characters were compelling and I'm always interested in where Ruth Ozeki's writing will take me, but like others have said, the wheels seemed to come off the wagon a little at the end. It was fun reading her work backwards chronologically: I can see that she has refined her style and become an even better writer over her three novels. Can't wait for her to write more!
pennyreadsthings's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
moon_dude's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Sexual violence
Moderate: Eating disorder, Miscarriage, and Infertility
gimchi's review against another edition
2.0
so, stupidly, i kept thinking this was a non-fiction book. and then i got it and realized, it's FICTION. whoops. but i read it anyways.
and it started out good. and then... maybe 2/3rds in... it turns into that star trek movie about saving the whales.
so obvious and contrived and just... bleh. i skimmed to the end.
i don't want to READ a fiction book about a fictional documentary on the meat industry. i'll just WATCH a REAL fucking documentary about the REAL meat industry. this book just incites anti-meat people over a fake story. and don't get me wrong, i'm anti-hormone, anti-cruelty and all that, but... ugh. too contrived.
and it started out good. and then... maybe 2/3rds in... it turns into that star trek movie about saving the whales.
so obvious and contrived and just... bleh. i skimmed to the end.
i don't want to READ a fiction book about a fictional documentary on the meat industry. i'll just WATCH a REAL fucking documentary about the REAL meat industry. this book just incites anti-meat people over a fake story. and don't get me wrong, i'm anti-hormone, anti-cruelty and all that, but... ugh. too contrived.
jennybee's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75