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stephs_shelf_indulgence's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Rape, Homophobia, Body shaming, Misogyny, Grief, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Death, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, and Child abuse
Minor: Suicide
praisethee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Death of parent, Bullying, Sexual violence, Classism, Hate crime, Ableism, Medical trauma, Sexual assault, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Body shaming, Sexism, Death, Confinement, Animal cruelty, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Violence, Suicide attempt, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, and Physical abuse
sapphicsoilscientist's review against another edition
Graphic: Sexual harassment
willowbiblio's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
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I didn't have specific expectations going into this, which was probably a good thing. At first, the feminism was cool. But it fairly quickly became clear that it was specifically for privileged white women who had fairly secure finances and the freedom to fail and reinvent themselves. In addition, the other characters were almost like caricatures of the awfulness that exists in the world.
The anthropomorphizing of the dog was such an odd move for a purportedly serious novel. So too was the weird and very neat fantasy ending where everything was wrapped up perfectly, everyone forgave each other, and the bad guy got his due.
I guess what was so hard was that it wasn't clear if this was meant to be satire, hopeful, funny, or serious. To go from a brutal rape to casual incidences of humor and meet-cute felt a bit like whiplash. It felt like towards the end we were getting a hodgepodge of motivational quotes, but it didn't really fit the character. I guess it just didn't quite click or make sense for me. Definitely did not get the hype for this book.
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual harassment
hdperez13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
2.25
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Sexism, and Rape
grace_lilly's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicide, Sexual harassment, Violence, Sexism, and Misogyny
Minor: Grief, Child abuse, and Death
readingsokrates's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Rape, Grief, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Sexism, Death, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Violence
cece_urban's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Rape
haleyshort's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I am always wary of these kids of girl power narratives because they often reek of liberalism. I appreciated that the protagonist was an outspoken champion for all oppressed peoples, not just women like her, but it still felt like a white feminist perspective. And it seemed like at the end of the day our instructions are to fight the power, which Zott tried to do throughout her story and wasn’t really able to make the changes she wanted unless a wealthy benefactor landed in her lap. I want a raging feminist book to come with raging feminist next steps - to give women more ammo than embracing their own power. But that’s hard to do when the ammo doesn’t really exist.
I truly love a precious child character more than anything else in a book. Justice for Mad!
Graphic: Sexual violence, Suicide, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
baguettekelly's review against another edition
3.25
I was not sold on this book for probably the first 60% and nearly DNFed but I got there by the end. The first half of the book is pretty Feminism 101 and lays it on a little too thick at times, but it gets to a more poignant message about social constructs and myth making. Elizabeth is a challenging protagonist (even for me, an irl lady engineer), but after spending more time with her, I appreciated her candor and honesty. I’m glad I gave this one a chance.
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Sexism
Moderate: Rape and Suicide