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caszriel's review against another edition
4.0
Initial thoughts: Okay the only thing going through my mind right now is that the year is 2022 and we're less than a month away from Anatomy of a Scandal being a TV show on Netflix, something which I am extremely excited for. I will share actual thoughts about this book soon, but extremely brief thoughts are that I loved the complexity of the characters though at times I struggled to connect with the book because of its psychological thriller element, which seems to be a theme with the genre.
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~ I received a copy from HarperCollins NZ and willingly reviewed it~
Unfortunately, I think I'm still waiting for the day when psychological thrillers live up to their concepts. Like many others of this genre I've read, I love the premise of Reputation, but not so much the execution. That's not at all saying it was bad, in fact far from it; more that I wonder how much more I would've enjoyed it if I had connected with the characters more.
I was so expected for Reputation to tackle British politics from the perpsective of a female MP; the idea seemed promising and who better to write it than Sarah Vaughan given the brilliance of Anatomy of a Scandal? The government aspect of the novel was as excellent as I expected. The power dynamics, being a woman in a male-dominated world, the role of media in the life of a public figure, were all executed with the level of political astuteness I'd come to expect. Details were not spared in the depiction fo Emma's online hate, a sickening but realistic view of the world for those in positions like her.
What fell short for me in Reputation was the cast. I struggled to care for their plights and that didn't change as I read more. Maybe I felt sorry for Flora in the end, but that was the limit of my emotional investment. I think I was hanging on because of hte plot and themes more than anything else, and it meant some of the more character-driven scenes lost their punch.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read but I maybe wouldn't recommend it if you're a character-driven reader. If you're here for the themes then absolutely check it out but either way, the main thing I have to say after reading Reputation is that you should check out Anatomy of a Scandal for sure.
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~ I received a copy from HarperCollins NZ and willingly reviewed it~
Unfortunately, I think I'm still waiting for the day when psychological thrillers live up to their concepts. Like many others of this genre I've read, I love the premise of Reputation, but not so much the execution. That's not at all saying it was bad, in fact far from it; more that I wonder how much more I would've enjoyed it if I had connected with the characters more.
I was so expected for Reputation to tackle British politics from the perpsective of a female MP; the idea seemed promising and who better to write it than Sarah Vaughan given the brilliance of Anatomy of a Scandal? The government aspect of the novel was as excellent as I expected. The power dynamics, being a woman in a male-dominated world, the role of media in the life of a public figure, were all executed with the level of political astuteness I'd come to expect. Details were not spared in the depiction fo Emma's online hate, a sickening but realistic view of the world for those in positions like her.
What fell short for me in Reputation was the cast. I struggled to care for their plights and that didn't change as I read more. Maybe I felt sorry for Flora in the end, but that was the limit of my emotional investment. I think I was hanging on because of hte plot and themes more than anything else, and it meant some of the more character-driven scenes lost their punch.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read but I maybe wouldn't recommend it if you're a character-driven reader. If you're here for the themes then absolutely check it out but either way, the main thing I have to say after reading Reputation is that you should check out Anatomy of a Scandal for sure.
theresey01's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
sikonat's review against another edition
4.0
Joan Jett might've sang she didn't give a damn about her bad reputation, but in Sarah Vaughan's 'Reputation', its everything for politician Emma Webster.
After sacrificing her marriage for her political career - because of course her initially supportive husband can't handle his wife in the power position, Emma battles her own parliamentary party colleagues as well as those on the opposite side of the bench in order to lobby for a bill to protect women and girls from online abuse. All while receiving online abuse.
Meanwhile her 14 year old daughter Flora encounters her own bullying, but decides on fighting back in a way that would leave her mum embarassed.
Throw in a man dead in her home and Emma's life is turned upside down as she fights to protect her reptuation in court.
Vaughan weaves a slow burn (at times I found the court stuff dragged for me) thriller about women in public life and the misogynistic attacks on their reputation, particularly online where its easy to publish near-threats from behind a screen. It cleverly tackles online abuse from a generational divide, along with the ways men and women - specifically white men and women experience online abuse.
After sacrificing her marriage for her political career - because of course her initially supportive husband can't handle his wife in the power position, Emma battles her own parliamentary party colleagues as well as those on the opposite side of the bench in order to lobby for a bill to protect women and girls from online abuse. All while receiving online abuse.
Meanwhile her 14 year old daughter Flora encounters her own bullying, but decides on fighting back in a way that would leave her mum embarassed.
Throw in a man dead in her home and Emma's life is turned upside down as she fights to protect her reptuation in court.
Vaughan weaves a slow burn (at times I found the court stuff dragged for me) thriller about women in public life and the misogynistic attacks on their reputation, particularly online where its easy to publish near-threats from behind a screen. It cleverly tackles online abuse from a generational divide, along with the ways men and women - specifically white men and women experience online abuse.
missmelia's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
pandasbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars rounded up
After reading Anatomy of a Scandal last year, I was excited when I heard Sarah Vaughan was releasing a new book. I enjoyed this one but I'll confess I preferred her first book. This one felt a little slow paced and there were several points where if I considered giving up but I wanted to see how it would be wrapped up and the final events. I liked the POV of Emma, but found the other characters didn't really add a lot to the story which couldn't have been communicated just as well through Emma. I liked the social and feminist angle but at times this felt a little heavy handed. I read most of the book across one or two sittings. Overall, it was enjoyable book that will appeal to fans of the psychological mystery genre. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
After reading Anatomy of a Scandal last year, I was excited when I heard Sarah Vaughan was releasing a new book. I enjoyed this one but I'll confess I preferred her first book. This one felt a little slow paced and there were several points where if I considered giving up but I wanted to see how it would be wrapped up and the final events. I liked the POV of Emma, but found the other characters didn't really add a lot to the story which couldn't have been communicated just as well through Emma. I liked the social and feminist angle but at times this felt a little heavy handed. I read most of the book across one or two sittings. Overall, it was enjoyable book that will appeal to fans of the psychological mystery genre. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
joannebyrne's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sophievivien's review against another edition
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
3.0
fkshg8465's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-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
I have no idea why I finished this book. Breaking it down, subject matter matters to meβ¦and thatβs about it. Characters were all unlikable. Prose was mediocre. I think I didnβt have anything better to read last nightβ¦
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Bullying, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Body shaming, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Violence, and Emotional abuse
wherethewildreadsare's review against another edition
challenging
tense
medium-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? No
3.5