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jaclyncrupi's review against another edition
3.0
This really showed me how hard and rare what Broder, Moshfegh and Butler are doing is. Sims tried to inhabit that same disassociated and obsessed woman narrative and exposed how to miss the mark.
perfectsham's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Laura Sims is a master at writing deeply flawed, messy, villainous and frankly bonkers women. This book is a delicious downward spiral of a truly terrible person, but initially we kind of sympathise with her due to her infertility struggles and her pretty insensitive husband. As the book progresses, it becomes clear that she is the furthest thing from a reliable narrator.
WARNING: a cat is killed on page so if this is a deal-breaker for you, skip it.
WARNING: a cat is killed on page so if this is a deal-breaker for you, skip it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Stalking
erinlcrane's review against another edition
3.25
I liked Sims's book How Can I Help You *a lot*, so I wanted to give her earlier book a try even though the rating is quite low for Goodreads. If readers at the time thought they were getting a thriller, it would be a disappointing read. But even going into it knowing it's not a thriller, I didn't find there was enough here to make a great story.
I wish the book had focused on her divorce and her obsession with the actress. The bit with Bernardo felt like a distraction, though it added to her unraveling. I do like stories that include academia, so it's too bad it didn't feel like it fit.
Sims's strength is clearly writing in the voice of an awful woman since she does the same in How Can I Help You. I think it's really well done. I listened this via audiobook, and the narrator did a great job embodying that.
I wish the book had focused on her divorce and her obsession with the actress. The bit with Bernardo felt like a distraction, though it added to her unraveling. I do like stories that include academia, so it's too bad it didn't feel like it fit.
Sims's strength is clearly writing in the voice of an awful woman since she does the same in How Can I Help You. I think it's really well done. I listened this via audiobook, and the narrator did a great job embodying that.
sejalyse's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
megandesroches's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 - good quick read! Really picks up coming on the end!
liestef's review against another edition
4.0
I had initially put 4 stars before changing it to 3 to reflect the solid 3 and a half I thought it really was, but upon reconsideration, I really do feel that it is worthy of the four.
This is neither the mystery nor thriller it's marketed as, and actually I'd say it was more of a dark, disturbing, psychological simmer. I'd even go as far as to say it's a bit creepy.
The main characters are unnamed, so I suppose that's the mystery part. Who doesn't like a mysterious protagonist without a name?
I listened to the audiobook, and although not a lot actually happens, the bitterness and contempt in the character was perfectly conveyed by the narrator, and it held my attention and kept me interested all the way through.
My only nit-pick is that it was a bit on the short side, but that's only because I enjoy this kind of theme and wanted more.
Although there was a part where I thought I knew what was going to happen, it wasn't predictable at all - it was a bit of "will she or won't she" that could have gone either way. I won't say anything about it but I'm sure it'll be clear to the reader.
I definitely recommend this, and will be checking out more of the author's work.
This is neither the mystery nor thriller it's marketed as, and actually I'd say it was more of a dark, disturbing, psychological simmer. I'd even go as far as to say it's a bit creepy.
The main characters are unnamed, so I suppose that's the mystery part. Who doesn't like a mysterious protagonist without a name?
I listened to the audiobook, and although not a lot actually happens, the bitterness and contempt in the character was perfectly conveyed by the narrator, and it held my attention and kept me interested all the way through.
My only nit-pick is that it was a bit on the short side, but that's only because I enjoy this kind of theme and wanted more.
Although there was a part where I thought I knew what was going to happen, it wasn't predictable at all - it was a bit of "will she or won't she" that could have gone either way. I won't say anything about it but I'm sure it'll be clear to the reader.
I definitely recommend this, and will be checking out more of the author's work.
lovelykd's review against another edition
3.0
This isn't a thriller. I don't know why it's being marketed as such but the only thrilling thing about this short--emotionally intense--novel is its description; this may as well be billed as case study in how debilitating grief and loss can be when connected to society's need to validate women via their ability to bear children.
We meet the unnamed narrator at the end of her motherhood quest. She's childless, her husband has left her, and her job is looking less like a sure thing by the day.
In order to pass the time, she's begun to unhealthily obsess over her famous neighbor--referred to only as "the actress"--as well as spend copious amounts of time imagining different versions of herself/her life as it might have been if she were a more interesting person.
For her, the actress not only represents everything she'll never be, but wishes she was, but also her lone connection to the world she feels has rejected her because of her inability to bear children.
What we witness from there is how painful it is for the narrator to exist in a world where every woman seemingly has a purpose except her; since she's no longer sure what her role is--motherhood is out of the picture, her husband no longer wants her, and others seems only to pity or dismiss her presence altogether--she starts taking her cues from whatever roles the actress has played; she watches the actresses's movies and mimics those roles in real life.
Fake it 'til you make it, right?
Only, she seems to understand that even the "faking" of her behavior is a farce. However, that's the only thing keeping her from losing her mind altogether. It gives her a measure of peace and a form of escape from reality: which is absolutely her being a woman suffering from a case of severe depression, coupled with an unyielding grief, and a strong desire to be validated.
Her somewhat slow descent into what can only be described as absolute MADNESS is cringe-worthy and, not unpredictably, leads to tragic consequences.
I had a tough time with this book because I expected something thrilling and came out the other side confused about whatever it was I just read. HOWEVER, if you leave the expectation this will be similar to "The Woman in the Window" or "Girl on a Train", you'll likely appreciate the story more because it isn't a bad story; it simply isn't a thriller.
I received an Advanced Galley of "Looker: A Novel" from Edelweiss+ in exchange for this review.
We meet the unnamed narrator at the end of her motherhood quest. She's childless, her husband has left her, and her job is looking less like a sure thing by the day.
In order to pass the time, she's begun to unhealthily obsess over her famous neighbor--referred to only as "the actress"--as well as spend copious amounts of time imagining different versions of herself/her life as it might have been if she were a more interesting person.
For her, the actress not only represents everything she'll never be, but wishes she was, but also her lone connection to the world she feels has rejected her because of her inability to bear children.
What we witness from there is how painful it is for the narrator to exist in a world where every woman seemingly has a purpose except her; since she's no longer sure what her role is--motherhood is out of the picture, her husband no longer wants her, and others seems only to pity or dismiss her presence altogether--she starts taking her cues from whatever roles the actress has played; she watches the actresses's movies and mimics those roles in real life.
Fake it 'til you make it, right?
Only, she seems to understand that even the "faking" of her behavior is a farce. However, that's the only thing keeping her from losing her mind altogether. It gives her a measure of peace and a form of escape from reality: which is absolutely her being a woman suffering from a case of severe depression, coupled with an unyielding grief, and a strong desire to be validated.
Her somewhat slow descent into what can only be described as absolute MADNESS is cringe-worthy and, not unpredictably, leads to tragic consequences.
I had a tough time with this book because I expected something thrilling and came out the other side confused about whatever it was I just read. HOWEVER, if you leave the expectation this will be similar to "The Woman in the Window" or "Girl on a Train", you'll likely appreciate the story more because it isn't a bad story; it simply isn't a thriller.
I received an Advanced Galley of "Looker: A Novel" from Edelweiss+ in exchange for this review.
celiapowell's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not sure what to file this slim novel under, but I really enjoyed it - the narrator becomes obsessed with an actress who lives down the street, and gradually her life begins to unravel. The relentless nature of the narrative as it rushes along with the narrator's thoughts is really captivating.
hypnagogicmaze's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
reedingthroughtheyear's review against another edition
4.0
Unhinged woman level 1000.
This book, in its short 182 pages, details the descent of a woman who has been stripped from the things women are socialized to prize above all else —the roles of wife and mother. And yet, societal norms will concede, that if you aren’t a married woman or bearing children, you must have a career for which you are devoted and successful. This is your measure of worth. Our main character, once a wife, a would-be mother, and successful educator - unravels spectacularly in this novel.
The narrator, is at times likable, and other times I found myself gasping in horror at her actions. (No spoilers but i audibly gasped)
She finds solace in an imagined other, which takes the form of an actress that lives next door. The actress is beautiful, effortless, fertile, and inhabits a life of ease in a way that the narrator is deeply envious of. Her perceived proximity to this person and the imaginary ways in which their lives may intersect in the future provides solace and meaning to the narrator in ways I found psychologically rich.
Entertaining, horrifying - this builds in its intensity. I held my breath for the last few chapters.
This book, in its short 182 pages, details the descent of a woman who has been stripped from the things women are socialized to prize above all else —the roles of wife and mother. And yet, societal norms will concede, that if you aren’t a married woman or bearing children, you must have a career for which you are devoted and successful. This is your measure of worth. Our main character, once a wife, a would-be mother, and successful educator - unravels spectacularly in this novel.
The narrator, is at times likable, and other times I found myself gasping in horror at her actions. (No spoilers but i audibly gasped)
She finds solace in an imagined other, which takes the form of an actress that lives next door. The actress is beautiful, effortless, fertile, and inhabits a life of ease in a way that the narrator is deeply envious of. Her perceived proximity to this person and the imaginary ways in which their lives may intersect in the future provides solace and meaning to the narrator in ways I found psychologically rich.
Entertaining, horrifying - this builds in its intensity. I held my breath for the last few chapters.