Reviews

I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness by Claire Vaye Watkins

bethanie22's review

2.0

This one is only getting a 1.5 star because I liked the overall idea that woman and mom are not synonymous and that mom's too feel the need to run away sometimes. From there I was lost... I found it confusing to follow and although I really enjoyed Patricia Lockwood's No One is Talking About This autofiction that was written in the same style I did not like this one. The vagina teeth creeped me about beyond belief. Idk, if you stumble upon this review, don't judge me too hard, maybe I'm just not smart enough to understand this author's style of writing, maybe it is just over my head and the beauty was lost on me but honestly... I feel like I wasted time that I will never get back with this one and I HATE THAT!

mcluster1's review against another edition

challenging funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This was such a surreal listen. I quite enjoyed the story, but there were times where things felt very blurred together. I think I might try to physically read this book and reevaluate. 

I personally appreciated the ending note of this book. I think that the idea that you can love someone from far away and that it is ok to take time and space for yourself to figure your shot out…. Even if you are a mother. 

grimamethyst's review

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

4.0

aravenscroft's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

2.5

h_tom's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-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

3.25

aclopez6's review

1.0

This book started off so strong! As it went on, I think it was just not for me. I needed something with a faster-pacing, and enjoyed the pieces of poetry embedded throughout, but honestly just became bored. Initally bought (tbh) because of the gorgeous cover and fun title.

lydia_arvidsson's review

challenging dark funny

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

jtran's review

Tom recommended this but I couldn't get into it. I don't like reading about motherhood, and I'm not interested in memoir or biography really. Especially not related to Charles Manson. 

sanmeow's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.5

it's very stream of consciousness but not in a good way, unfortunately ... it is original, i'll give it that. not sure how i feel about the memoir esque element of it, though. i liked some commentary on motherhood, but even then the writing style really annoyed me. some imagery also just didn't work for me. overall, a very confusing read and i wish it focused more on motherhood. 

chelstell's review

4.0

Genre-fluid (memoir with broad artistic fictional license)

I would suggest skipping the chapters with Martha’s letters. You don’t need them at all and the writing for them isn’t as interesting. It’s not that long of a book, so I wonder if they were added to bulk up.

I could see this as a good indie film. I really enjoyed the story of her youth (from her parents meeting to Martha’s death). The dad has an interesting story and probably generated buzz for the novel but he wasn’t super connected to her.

Warning: the protagonist is not likable so if you need that, don’t read.