Reviews

The Odyssey by Lara Williams

baileydouglass's review against another edition

4.0

This book is totally nutty and I kind of loved it. It's about a woman who works on a cruise ship and gets recruited for a prestigious program that turns into a kind of a cult. You learn more about her story the reasons she is how she is and the story evolves into a weird but, I think, satisfying little nugget.

TW child abuse, alcohol abuse, self harm, infidelity, cults

ruyi_t's review against another edition

3.0

I just want to say wtf. This book is odd and really reflects my taste in books. It's one of those books that really make you question the intention of the book, I can see that the appeal of the book is it's room to question and speculate the themes and what happens in between, but there is just too much to speculate, it's almost as if the start and the end of the book is missing and Williams just picked out the middle of the book. While I'm pretty critical, I will say that the odd nature of the book is quite entertaining and darkly funny because of how casually they talk about something that is clearly pretty f***ed. Three stars for entertainment and -2 stars for the incomplete nature of the book.

heather_harrison's review against another edition

dark reflective 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

1.0

Never have I been so mad I didn’t DNF a book, as I have finishing this. 

Was lured in with promises of a cult leader aboard a cruise ship; dark, surreal satire, humour and a stunning book cover. 

Instead a wholly unlikeable set of characters, bizarre sets of events, and very little explanation. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Alcohol

Minor: Infertility

sejalyse's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny lighthearted mysterious reflective tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

codenameivy's review against another edition

mysterious reflective 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

what the fuck? i am both intrigued and disappointed by this book. maybe not even disappointed. concerned might be a better word.
did i read it in one sitting?
yes.
was it worth it?
no. i don’t think so.
will i be reading lara williams again?
most likely.

mdarceyhall's review against another edition

3.0

This novel falls into the latest trend of unmotivated Millennial female protagonist wandering aimlessly through life. Ingrid is a challenging character for a reader in that many of her decisions lack clear reasoning and the narration doesn't fill in the gaps either. I like the concept for this novel and there are some fun moments (including a clever ending) but there are gaps that I would have liked filled and, at only 230 pages, I think the author could have expanded to fill those holes.

morganmcnealy's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

2.0

i didn’t like it. it made me feel weird. not a good time i didn’t get it and now i feel bad ?? for no reason ??

katelinsss's review against another edition

adventurous 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

3.0

ktbby's review against another edition

2.0

There was potential. But this story was just not it. Not a character to like. No explanation or reason for irrational behavior. Doesn't seem to have a deeper meaning than the author knew words and wanted to prove it.

juliannasiegrist's review against another edition

I hated this immediately upon starting I’m so sorry