rebeccajost's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Injury/injury detail, Death of parent, Blood, and Medical content
blakethebookeater's review
dark
fast-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
3.0
This book...was an experience.
It was so short that it didn't overstay its welcome, which I appreciated, but at the same time I wish there had been a little more meat on its bones.
Lucy discovers her husband is cheating on her and in return, he allows her to hurt him three times (hence the title, the vengeful Harpy coming to dole out her justice). And honestly this novel did not get as dark or intense as I wanted it to. There were moments when it came close, but then it shied away; and while the prose was beautiful and concise, it kept me at too much of a distance from the characters that I honestly didn't really care about them at all.
Lucy's thoughts and emotions are what binds this book together, but that's mostly all that's there. The actual events of the book could take place over a 30 min episode of TV, fully contained. And I'd be lying if I didn't say I wanted to see more of the drama, more of the Harpy coming out in Lucy's actions and in that sense I was slightly disappointed. I do feel that this book is worth a read though, because it does have some pretty great passages in it, and is short enough to be read in a single sitting!
It was so short that it didn't overstay its welcome, which I appreciated, but at the same time I wish there had been a little more meat on its bones.
Lucy discovers her husband is cheating on her and in return, he allows her to hurt him three times (hence the title, the vengeful Harpy coming to dole out her justice). And honestly this novel did not get as dark or intense as I wanted it to. There were moments when it came close, but then it shied away; and while the prose was beautiful and concise, it kept me at too much of a distance from the characters that I honestly didn't really care about them at all.
Lucy's thoughts and emotions are what binds this book together, but that's mostly all that's there. The actual events of the book could take place over a 30 min episode of TV, fully contained. And I'd be lying if I didn't say I wanted to see more of the drama, more of the Harpy coming out in Lucy's actions and in that sense I was slightly disappointed. I do feel that this book is worth a read though, because it does have some pretty great passages in it, and is short enough to be read in a single sitting!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Violence, and Eating disorder
Minor: Death of parent and Sexual assault
cheye13's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This is written beautifully. The harpy metaphor is visceral and very relatable. I personally just feel like something's missing, something didn't push far enough.
Stories about "monstrous" women always leave me with this same feeling; "but he cheated on her." And what's worse, the men usually never truly understand the impact of what they've done. Yes, women in revenge narratives often go too far or truly become violent or cruel, but that's what I'm looking for in my revenge fiction – the satisfaction that real life lacks.
I did not expect this to focus so much on their children and in turn on the larger concept of the women's roles in society and in turn again on the concept of self. I expected a deeper interrogation of a single relationship, and perhaps that's where my own expectations let me down.
Stories about "monstrous" women always leave me with this same feeling; "but he cheated on her." And what's worse, the men usually never truly understand the impact of what they've done. Yes, women in revenge narratives often go too far or truly become violent or cruel, but that's what I'm looking for in my revenge fiction – the satisfaction that real life lacks.
I did not expect this to focus so much on their children and in turn on the larger concept of the women's roles in society and in turn again on the concept of self. I expected a deeper interrogation of a single relationship, and perhaps that's where my own expectations let me down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexism
Moderate: Blood, Domestic abuse, and Vomit
Minor: Cursing, Death of parent, Excrement, Medical content, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Suicide
A lot of focus on (lack of) bodily autonomy, the mechanics of gestation and childbirth, and the relation between the two.
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