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abbeyeds's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Sick & twisted in all the best ways
catsamarista's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Really intriguing!
At first, when I was describing it to someone, they interpreted it as a lot of striking scenes sewn together. And now, after having finished it, even if that was the case, I am way less mad about it.
The situationends up being so endearing, and I'm rooting for Akila and this funny little dynamic, that I can let the rest go.
I ended up liking her style, the way the striking sentences were paired to evoke a sharp reaction from you, and although I don't find the protagonist relatable at all, she is so, so interesting, and that takes a lot of skill.
At first, when I was describing it to someone, they interpreted it as a lot of striking scenes sewn together. And now, after having finished it, even if that was the case, I am way less mad about it.
The situation
I ended up liking her style, the way the striking sentences were paired to evoke a sharp reaction from you, and although I don't find the protagonist relatable at all, she is so, so interesting, and that takes a lot of skill.
janey's review against another edition
4.0
This is what you would get if you mixed [b:My Year of Rest and Relaxation|44279110|My Year of Rest and Relaxation|Ottessa Moshfegh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1553096683l/44279110._SY75_.jpg|55508660] with [b:American Psycho|28676|American Psycho|Bret Easton Ellis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1436934349l/28676._SY75_.jpg|2270060] and added in a dash of [a:Don DeLillo|233|Don DeLillo|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1401807364p2/233.jpg]. Which is to say, it was great! Then right at the end it stops being reminiscent of anything but itself, which is also great. Hey though, if you have a work book club, don't suggest this one.
reading_slump's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nemegarcia's review against another edition
I dont think i enjoy this unlikeable, shrewd, female pov literature (my husband, the guest). The writing was interesting and her childhood memories were a particular highlight. Honestly any scene that didnt have Eric were my faves.
laticsexile's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Oscillates wildly between clever exquisite crafted sentences and literature by numbers lifted from creative writing 101. It's witty and dark, and despite her flaws you want to root for the main character as she struggles through life (a young black woman even in the 21st century faces prejudice I can't even imagine). Unfortunately, the supporting cast and the plot are just too unbelievable to support Ms Leilani's prose, which is sometimes clever for clever's sake, and becomes tiring near the end.
iforgotmysunscreen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book was haunting, strange and brutal, a pang of uncomfortable truths that you almost don’t to read it because it forces you sit with the agony Edie is experiencing and by extension your own. “I am inclined to pray, but on principle, I don’t. God is not for women. He is for the fruit. He makes you want and he makes you wicked, and while you sleep, he plants a seed in your womb that will be born just to die.”
Wow…what a line, this is her brutal truth and definitely my favorite line from the book
This a novel I will definitely have to come back to when I’m a bit older because the emotions in this hit me hard.
Edie’s character is striking because she’s so honest. It’s this sincerity that forces you to also confront yourself, especially the parts of ourselves that we would typically avoid, she’s so in tune with herself that all her idiosyncrasies felt real.
Her inner monologue was ugly but true which was very raw in a way that the depicted the author’s acute understanding of the experience of a black 20-something who feels abandoned by the world and is weighed down the trauma of all the women who came before her which bleeds into her own . This book articulates the ennui that arises from being unable to escape that cycle of self-abandonment to process and heal from your trauma.
I’ve read some reviews of this book that critique the plot as being unrealistic and while that is true to an extent I also felt that the plot was the least interesting part of the book read more to me like a backdrop for the progression of Edie’s stream of consciousness. Also some have said they disliked her as a character, and weren’t rooting for her. That baffled me because I definitely don’t think the point is for us to like her; can a character not be moving if they aren’t likable?. Not saying the book is above criticism because things in here definitely made me uncomfortable but I just think some of the takes criticizing this are a bit reductive.
There is so much more I could say but to close I will say that this what I was looking for when I wanted to read about a directionless 20-something other books in this space lack substance.
Wow…what a line, this is her brutal truth and definitely my favorite line from the book
This a novel I will definitely have to come back to when I’m a bit older because the emotions in this hit me hard.
Edie’s character is striking because she’s so honest. It’s this sincerity that forces you to also confront yourself, especially the parts of ourselves that we would typically avoid, she’s so in tune with herself that all her idiosyncrasies felt real.
Her inner monologue was ugly but true which was very raw in a way that the depicted the author’s acute understanding of the experience of a black 20-something who feels abandoned by the world and is weighed down the trauma of all the women who came before her which bleeds into her own . This book articulates the ennui that arises from being unable to escape that cycle of self-abandonment to process and heal from your trauma.
I’ve read some reviews of this book that critique the plot as being unrealistic and while that is true to an extent I also felt that the plot was the least interesting part of the book read more to me like a backdrop for the progression of Edie’s stream of consciousness. Also some have said they disliked her as a character, and weren’t rooting for her. That baffled me because I definitely don’t think the point is for us to like her; can a character not be moving if they aren’t likable?. Not saying the book is above criticism because things in here definitely made me uncomfortable but I just think some of the takes criticizing this are a bit reductive.
There is so much more I could say but to close I will say that this what I was looking for when I wanted to read about a directionless 20-something other books in this space lack substance.
alexrinehart's review against another edition
4.0
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This book had me cringing from the first line. This was... a wild ride. Like Sage Agee said, "Ahhh this was so twisted and uncomfortable but comforting at the same time??"
This book gave me the man-eater energy I needed in my life. I gasped and laughed outline at so many points in this book. It was addicting; when I couldn't read, I would be thinking about this book and what was going to happen next. I couldn't believe this was [a:Raven Leilani|19238247|Raven Leilani|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1589984892p2/19238247.jpg]'s debut work; it was amazing and there were fabulous quotes throughout the novel.
I can't tell if it romanticizes. I do feel like it's obvious that it is not healthy and it's messy though.
I would highly recommend this book to folks who are interested contemporaries, relationships, found/chosen family, and folks looking to feel uncomfortable lol.
I WOULD NOT recommend this to minors. This is 100% adult content.
Please look into content/trigger warnings if needed, there are plenty.
Trigger/Content Warnings: Reviewer-Provided Trigger Warnings with the Storygraph
This book had me cringing from the first line. This was... a wild ride. Like Sage Agee said, "Ahhh this was so twisted and uncomfortable but comforting at the same time??"
This book gave me the man-eater energy I needed in my life. I gasped and laughed outline at so many points in this book. It was addicting; when I couldn't read, I would be thinking about this book and what was going to happen next. I couldn't believe this was [a:Raven Leilani|19238247|Raven Leilani|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1589984892p2/19238247.jpg]'s debut work; it was amazing and there were fabulous quotes throughout the novel.
I can't tell if it romanticizes
Spoiler
abuse and toxic relationshipsI would highly recommend this book to folks who are interested contemporaries,
Spoiler
polyamorous/openI WOULD NOT recommend this to minors. This is 100% adult content.
Please look into content/trigger warnings if needed, there are plenty.
Trigger/Content Warnings: Reviewer-Provided Trigger Warnings with the Storygraph
a_chickletz's review against another edition
2.0
Yikes.
This book was an interesting one. One that I don't think I understood or really grasped what was being told here.
The story was about a 23 year old black female, who becomes involved with her boss. Meanwhile, she comes to discover his wife and his daughter - who they adopted, is black - start involving her in their lives.
It's this strange 'is this an open relationship, is it not an open relationship' between them all. I couldn't really grasp the point of why I should feel for these characters.
It was a really odd book.
This book was an interesting one. One that I don't think I understood or really grasped what was being told here.
The story was about a 23 year old black female, who becomes involved with her boss. Meanwhile, she comes to discover his wife and his daughter - who they adopted, is black - start involving her in their lives.
It's this strange 'is this an open relationship, is it not an open relationship' between them all. I couldn't really grasp the point of why I should feel for these characters.
It was a really odd book.