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elliejean3's review against another edition
4.0
I bought this hoping for an uplifting coming of age story, based on the blurb. And its not that.
It's not a happy book, or an enjoyable read - it's blunt, confronting and frustrating. I'm still trying to figure what the point of it was.
Jena is cold, detached and lonely. Powerfully lonely. The way she uses sex made me uncomfortable, is clearly unhealthy and the ending..?! The book just kind of ended the way it began, abruptly. One of the other reviewers said it leaves a sense that's there's no ending in sight, "just like life it continues on, whether we find our happy ending or not" and I agree with this completely.
You are immediately pulled into her world, and tossed out of it just as quickly, and when I first finished the book, I thought... what was the point?!
It made me feel uncomfortable, and that I think, is the point. If I put my own feelings aside, I can appreciate that this is an excellent novel, because it made me feel so conflicted and uncomfortable.
I think I would have been able to enjoy this more for the thought provoking piece that it is, if I hadn't been misled by the blurb. Just don't come to this expecting a "traditional" happy ending, as you won't get one. What you get is a snippet of a life in the middle of being lived, and a thought provoking novel that will challenge you in several ways.
It's not a happy book, or an enjoyable read - it's blunt, confronting and frustrating. I'm still trying to figure what the point of it was.
Jena is cold, detached and lonely. Powerfully lonely. The way she uses sex made me uncomfortable, is clearly unhealthy and the ending..?! The book just kind of ended the way it began, abruptly. One of the other reviewers said it leaves a sense that's there's no ending in sight, "just like life it continues on, whether we find our happy ending or not" and I agree with this completely.
You are immediately pulled into her world, and tossed out of it just as quickly, and when I first finished the book, I thought... what was the point?!
It made me feel uncomfortable, and that I think, is the point. If I put my own feelings aside, I can appreciate that this is an excellent novel, because it made me feel so conflicted and uncomfortable.
I think I would have been able to enjoy this more for the thought provoking piece that it is, if I hadn't been misled by the blurb. Just don't come to this expecting a "traditional" happy ending, as you won't get one. What you get is a snippet of a life in the middle of being lived, and a thought provoking novel that will challenge you in several ways.
hnnhgrace's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Super simple and an easy read. Did not like the writing style. Would not read or recommend.
jaclyncrupi's review against another edition
3.0
Winter days spent reading books on the beach wearing a tshirt. Like in Queenie and Normal People, the protagonist of A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing allows herself to be debased sexually to an incredible low before she can find the strength to rise again. I’m conflicted about this narrative arc in all three books but something I’m not conflicted about is having a professional classical musician as a protagonist. This book is best read with Beethoven’s Violin Concerto playing. As someone who spends too much time thinking about the literary and musical canons, this book spoke to my heart. There was excellent commentary about female composers, music, race and art. This is a book about ambition, drive and how to fill the void inside. It’s the fictional Mozart in the Jungle and I read it in a single sitting.
lc_xiaogu's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
chloemirielle's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
rainee_deverell's review against another edition
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
sallyn's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ccath's review against another edition
2.0
It was hard reading this book, a lot of happened but at the same time nothing happened. I liked the last part better. It's also hard to read something that seems so emotionless which is the whole point of the book I guess but nevertheless hard.