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savvylit's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
4.0
The collective perspective? Impeccable. The Central Florida setting as character? Humid and palpable. The mysteriousness and obsession? Realistic.
Brutes is a delightful book that is thematically and structurally in conversation with Eugenides' The Virgin Suicides. Teen girls are the central obsession. Readers are only allowed to get to know said girls as far as what is witnessed directly by a group of younger kids in the neighborhood; in Brutes' case, the collective witnesses are also girls themselves.
The only reason this novel isn't five stars for me is that I felt like some of the mysterious elements of this story needed to be better developed. Just when something creepy would happen or begin to happen, there was a jump in scenery. I just wanted fewer loose threads by the time I finished Brutes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Sexism, and Sexual violence
flavi's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-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? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Blood, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
issyd23's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
2.0
Use of second person voice was compelling, story too slow 2👯♀️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Misogyny, and Sexism