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ai_akizuki's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
3 stars. This book did not deliver what it is supposed to deliver. I've never read The Virgin Suicide so I have nothing to compare this book to. I was intrigued by the premise of the book and the youthful tone of a collective narration by the girls, referring to themselves as 'we'. I was also curious of how they've grown with the POV as adults. But then, moving past 50% of the book the storyline just becomes so murky. The outgrown connection of the girls as adults were never properly explained. The plot twist which we're supposed to be surprised with was not shocking at all and the ending did not wrap up the story. But not in a cliffhanger, leaving-you-wanting-more way. it's in a huh? what is this book trying to say? way. I have to agree with someone's review that this book was all vibes and no plot. The vibes of adolescent, youthful teenage girls was encapsulated. but their adult narrative was similar, almost redundant and adds nothing valuable to book. The plot from when they were young was also very flat and underwhelming. I like the premise though and the vibes are there, maybe I'll try another shot with Dizz Tate's other books.
pigegesy's review against another edition
2.75
I sort of liked it, but I am not one fangirling over things I don't understand. Fck ambiguity and symbolism, tell me straightfaced. It annoys my autism when I cannot follow what is happening, what just happened and what was the meaning if there was one. This one is certainly "no plot, just vibes" type of book... which is fine, I guess, under some circumstances. It explores girlhood too, but it lacks any substance to not be forgettable. I just saw someone's review mentioning one of main girls going through something big and memorable, and awful, and hydrate me with buckets I am still brain-fogged bc who is that person and when does it happen, and sorry if it spoils?? It felt like a spoiler to me. As if I wasn't qualified enough to be aware of this. But I was! For last 22 minutes I was! Overall, meh. I enjoyed bits of the girls being feral, but if not for my useless curiosity, I would not be able to go through all of it. The thing is, I will always stay for mystery being solved. I need to read those damn Acknowledgements. Overall once more, you really need to be there for vibes. I thought I was but it delivered my neighbour's order apperently bc lots of readers enjoy it soooo much. For me, the book is a catfish. Even now, I read people's reviews and it makes me excited about the whole story just to recall I already read that one... and uhhh, I am less enthusiastic. Also, free insects!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Toxic friendship
jane_moriarty's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Feral Girl Summer: book edition. Do you remember the days when you ran around with a crew of kids, never anything to do, always in the way of the grown-ups and still invisible at the same time? The horizon of your neighbourhood so narrow and yet the world of the adults so mysterious?
This book perfectly conveys the feeling of those days. It feels more like a movie (maybe a Harmony Korine one?), drifting through the setting of endless Florida summer with dark clouds gathering, seen through the collective eyes of a group of thirteen year old girls who keep a close watch on everything happening in their neighbourhood. While the girls seem to understand more about the events than the adults around them, they are at the same time cut off from forming a full picture, the way children are.
Maybe this discrepancy is the reason why it seems like the book has no plot. We are left with a hazy feeling and a vague grasp of what seems to have happened. The inbetween chapters from the girls grown-up (very depressing) perspective hardly change that. I think I would have liked less metaphors and more plot resolutions, but the descriptions of the weirdness of girlhood and the Florida Gothic Ethel Cain vibes were so so good, the writing just sucked me in. Next Dizz Tate publication will be preordered.
This book perfectly conveys the feeling of those days. It feels more like a movie (maybe a Harmony Korine one?), drifting through the setting of endless Florida summer with dark clouds gathering, seen through the collective eyes of a group of thirteen year old girls who keep a close watch on everything happening in their neighbourhood. While the girls seem to understand more about the events than the adults around them, they are at the same time cut off from forming a full picture, the way children are.
Maybe this discrepancy is the reason why it seems like the book has no plot. We are left with a hazy feeling and a vague grasp of what seems to have happened. The inbetween chapters from the girls grown-up (very depressing) perspective hardly change that. I think I would have liked less metaphors and more plot resolutions, but the descriptions of the weirdness of girlhood and the Florida Gothic Ethel Cain vibes were so so good, the writing just sucked me in. Next Dizz Tate publication will be preordered.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Suicide, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal cruelty, Trafficking, and Fire/Fire injury
kiannaamaya's review against another edition
3.0
I kind of had no idea what was going on. But it was also interesting? I have no idea how to articulate what this book was but it was an experience for sure.
z5ofii's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
angela_king's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
veeralaitinen's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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
1.75
xxlua's review
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
ah, the violence of girlhood.
had to read the reviews to see if the confusion of the book was just a me problem. seems like many people struggled to follow what was really going on. overall i like what the book is communicating, but i struggled to follow the storyline
had to read the reviews to see if the confusion of the book was just a me problem. seems like many people struggled to follow what was really going on. overall i like what the book is communicating, but i struggled to follow the storyline
sarahsaurus84's review against another edition
4.0
A very weird book. I’m not even really sure about wtf I just read. But I still actually really liked it??