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missmim's review
2.0
Utterly depressing. I appreciate, from a literary standpoint, what Gaitskill is trying to achieve, but after I read this book I pretty much wished I hadn't. She is a much stronger short story writer, in my opinion.
artemiscat's review
Sorry- Could not attach myself to this book despite some good passages. (Abandoned in 2017)
naomixnaomi's review
4.0
Only loses a star as I didn’t actually enjoy most of it, but very good book
katokaitlyn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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
2.25
I started out liking this book. I’m a critic of Ayn Rand’s so seeing Ayn Rand in a funhouse mirror was initially enjoyable. I also did find moments of profundity throughout the book—specifically in relation to Justine’s motivations. However the book is unnecessarily horrific at parts (particularly in later sections), grisly, and malicious. I empathized deeply with Justine Shade and Dorothy Never but the author would cauterize any empathy with startling violence and vileness that made me deeply uncomfortable. I imagine that was some of the intention and sexual violence is never comfortable to be sure, but it felt at times gratuitous and as exploitative as the men it seeks to eviscerate in its pages.
sloatsj's review
4.0
I liked this intimate look at two women, both ill-at-ease in the world, who make a strange connection. We get very close to them from childhood on, and their encounters with each other vibrate with their past experiences. Dorothy was an abused child, while Justine was both abused and an abuser, but one whose flashes of empathy leave her open to redemption.
The story takes off after Justine, a freelance journalist/secretary, contacts Dorothy for an interview about "Definitism," the philosophy of Anna Granite, a stand-in for Ayn Rand. Dorothy is an obese 20-something and follower of Granite’s philosophy, while Justine is an alienated character with an interest in degrading and dangerous sex.
Justine’s article, published near the end of the book, enrages Dorothy, who decides immediately upon reading it to track Justine down and vent her anger. The ending was a surprise to me.
I admit I didn't get off to a good start with the book. I thought I'd be modifier'd out by page 12 or so, but the feeling abated as the story developed.
The story takes off after Justine, a freelance journalist/secretary, contacts Dorothy for an interview about "Definitism," the philosophy of Anna Granite, a stand-in for Ayn Rand. Dorothy is an obese 20-something and follower of Granite’s philosophy, while Justine is an alienated character with an interest in degrading and dangerous sex.
Justine’s article, published near the end of the book, enrages Dorothy, who decides immediately upon reading it to track Justine down and vent her anger. The ending was a surprise to me.
I admit I didn't get off to a good start with the book. I thought I'd be modifier'd out by page 12 or so, but the feeling abated as the story developed.
rosarachel's review
4.0
Not a light read, uncomfortable bordering on disturbing. Got under my skin in a way that's a credit to the author, but not particularly fun or enjoyable. Nevertheless, I tore through it in 36 hours.
sarahshaiman's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
leannep's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Two girls, fat Dorothy and thin Justine. They meet - one being interviewed by the other about the author Anna Granite and her philosophy. Then we go back to their childhoods and growing up. Alternating chapters for characters, first and third person. Their suburban childhoods, and betrayals by adults contribute to them become who they are - isolated from their own emotions and with no friends. The 'erotic' elements are disturbing.
earlyandalone's review
3.0
This was an impulse buy at the Strand and I'm disappointed because I rarely buy myself books anymore. I wanted to give Mary Gaitskill a try because I remember enjoying a few of her short stories, and have heard good things, but this novel was just too much for me. While the writing was good, it was a little too self-consciously literary, and I got to a point where the scenes were just too disturbing and there was no reward. I didn't like or feel connected to either of the main characters by almost halfway through the novel. I was sorry to quit, but I just need to move on.
lydiature_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
i read gaitskill’s short story “this is pleasure” in the beginning of the year and was completely blown away by it. so when i saw this book, i knew i had to give it a shot.
the writing style is unlike anything i have read this year. it’s nasty, biting, sharp & raw. and it makes sense- gaitskill explores the complexities of family and how it contributes to trauma. specifically child sexual abuse. she’s completely honest with the trauma that justine and dorothy undergo—so if child abuse and rape are sensitive topics to you, i don’t recommend this. the content is very graphic, and those detailed aspects remind me of “a little life.”
the chapters are told in alternating POVs and they (i think) were specifically designed that way. dorothy’s chapters are in first person POV and justine’s chapters are in third person POV. it makes sense. although both women have dealt with awful things in their childhood, they handle them differently. dorothy is of course traumatized but she is more transparent with her past and is willing to move forward. this is demonstrated in the end when she rescues justine from a particular (disgusting) sexual partner. the 3rd person POV choice in justine’s chapters reflect a distance. it’s not supposed to be personal. i can’t remember where but justine made a remark (to herself) about wearing a cloak in defense.
the parents in this book SUCK, full disclosure. firstly, dorothy’s father because he was an abusive creepy rapist—and a hypocrite on top of that. again—very descriptive. her mother was basically just ✨there✨ she had a feeling that her daughter was getting raped by her husband but didn’t want to say anything. women like her DISGUST me. justine’s parents were basically nonexistent and not supportive. her mother knew about the molestation because justine told her. her response made me livid.
the overall story was well-written, but extremely heavy. the only negative things i have to say: 1) the characters didn’t really feel personal to me but i can see why. they went through unbelievable pain growing up and the closed off behavior could be interpreted as a self-defense mechanism. 2) i wasn’t particularly interested in the philosophical component. i definitely see that dorothy used that to heal from her trauma but i just wasn’t interested. i did not find the ideals compelling. 3) since the book was largely about granite’s principles, i was expecting more. i thought gaitskill would delve more into granite as a person, but she didn’t. i was kinda disappointed.
i think you will like this if you loved “the lying life of adults” by elena ferrante and “a little life” by hanya yanagihara.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Rape
Moderate: Bullying