poolofbees's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The best way I can describe this book is as a disappointment.
It’s premise is a strong one, about a girl finding herself amidst the drama scene of New York City, but it unfortunately falls flat, especially towards the later half of the book when it genuinely feels like the author gave up. The pacing of it is confusing as well. The first half, which essentially takes place within the course of less than a year, is slower, describing specific moments and days with detail. The second half skips ahead years at a time and describes those periods broadly, almost disinterested. For a book that is supposed to read like a memoir, we sure do miss a lot of Vivian’s life.
My second gripe with the book is the sex scenes. They’re so painfully bad. I mean, you read fanfiction better than this. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I nearly passed out reading the first one. It nearly put me off the book entirely. Without spoiling, I’ll say that I understand the first one was meant to be uncomfortable, but the later ones, the ones that are meant to be positive experiences for the protagonist, don’t read much better.
Lastly, I think the author focuses too much on all the wrong relationships. The entire book is meant to lead up to explaining Vivian’s relationship to this mysterious man, but their time together is ultimately shoved into the latter half of the book. Their relationship feels flat and not nearly as fulfilling as the others in the book. I kept asking myself, “why do I care about this guy again?” Allow me to insert my little lesbian opinion, but I personally think more time should have been spent on Celia, who we spend precious time slowly getting to know before she disappears at the midway point. I’ll also add that In short, although City of Girls has some high points, these are ultimately overshadowed by poor storytelling. And in a book that’s about storytelling, this feels unacceptable.
It’s premise is a strong one, about a girl finding herself amidst the drama scene of New York City, but it unfortunately falls flat, especially towards the later half of the book when it genuinely feels like the author gave up. The pacing of it is confusing as well. The first half, which essentially takes place within the course of less than a year, is slower, describing specific moments and days with detail. The second half skips ahead years at a time and describes those periods broadly, almost disinterested. For a book that is supposed to read like a memoir, we sure do miss a lot of Vivian’s life.
My second gripe with the book is the sex scenes. They’re so painfully bad. I mean, you read fanfiction better than this. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I nearly passed out reading the first one. It nearly put me off the book entirely. Without spoiling, I’ll say that I understand the first one was meant to be uncomfortable, but the later ones, the ones that are meant to be positive experiences for the protagonist, don’t read much better.
Lastly, I think the author focuses too much on all the wrong relationships. The entire book is meant to lead up to explaining Vivian’s relationship to this mysterious man, but their time together is ultimately shoved into the latter half of the book. Their relationship feels flat and not nearly as fulfilling as the others in the book. I kept asking myself, “why do I care about this guy again?” Allow me to insert my little lesbian opinion, but I personally think more time should have been spent on Celia, who we spend precious time slowly getting to know before she disappears at the midway point. I’ll also add that
Spoiler
the threesome scene with Celia and Vivian felt almost fetishizing, like a girl who is merely toying with the idea of queerness for a man’s entertainment or for the rush of the taboo rather than a real exploration of her sexuality and identity. It’s a scene that deserved more tact and effort than the author gave it, especially when she mentions multiple times throughout how attractive Vivian thinks Celia is, only to then have Vivian never discuss these feelings again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol and Misogyny
aidrielle's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
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
1.5
lesson learned. i really should read synopses more closely next time. if i knew this book was about a rich spoiled (STRAIGHT!) white girl and her rich spoiled straight white girl problems during ww2 in america, i probably wouldn't have read it. went on way too long and for what!!! i'd feel sorry for angela for having to read all that if i wasn't so disgusted by her choice of wedding dress (even though it was all the main character's fault). that was truly vile. no idea how i managed to finish this book when i found about 90% of it so unlikable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, War, Alcoholism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Classism, Cultural appropriation, Abortion, and Alcoholism
betsygrace's review
Too much weird sexual content and sexual assault/rape vibes for me. It’s very normalized in the circle that the main character runs in, and I got tired of hearing it (listened on audiobook)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Alcohol, Rape, Violence, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
applejacksbooks's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Misogyny
laurenw's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book started off as a fun romp, and then slowly drew me deeper into its world and characters. Vivian is such a human character, wonderfully scuplted, and her life's story provided much entertainment. Reading this was like making a new friend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Grief, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and War
Moderate: Death of parent, Antisemitism, Classism, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, and Death
Minor: Abortion, Fire/Fire injury, and Terminal illness
linesiunderline's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
City of Girls is one of those books that manages to feel like a whole world. If you are looking for an immersive reading experience where it’s all about getting inside the head and life of the narrator, this is a great book to pick up. By the time you’re finished, Vivian feels as alive and complicated as any person you might know in real life. She really is the heart and point of the story, and she is imperfectly glorious.
Speaking of imperfection, one of the thematic aspects of this book that I loved most is the notion that we are all messy, flawed beings, who make mistakes, and we deserve love in spite of it all.
I listened to this one and the narration was wonderful. Vivian is a character who will stay with me.
Speaking of imperfection, one of the thematic aspects of this book that I loved most is the notion that we are all messy, flawed beings, who make mistakes, and we deserve love in spite of it all.
I listened to this one and the narration was wonderful. Vivian is a character who will stay with me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, Grief, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
jojo_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Terminal illness
Minor: Misogyny, Homophobia, and Sexual violence
julesadventurezone's review
adventurous
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Infidelity, Grief, Alcoholism, and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault, Violence, and Antisemitism
More...