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jenpaul13's review against another edition
4.0
The lives that others lead may seem enticing when compared to your own, but the secrets you don't see might change your mind. In Social Creatures by Tara Isabella Burton two young women's lives will be forever altered by the bond that forms between their very different lives.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Louise hasn't had an easy life, working endlessly to make ends meet. Lavinia has had led a privileged life, but she's battled her own demons despite the outward appearance of an easy life. After a fortuitous meeting brings Louise and Lavinia together, the two become inseparable and entangled in a toxic relationship. While Lavinia offers Louise an opportunity to experience some of the finer aspects of life, the pair become increasingly and dangerously dependent upon one another - Louise for the financial benefits a friendship with Lavinia offers and Lavinia for the caretaking skills that Louise invariably provides to maintain her access to the life of excess. When things go too far and their relationship is threatened Louise fights to maintain the life she's now become accustomed to.
A slow build toward a quick spiral down into dark, depraved depths, the narrative is equal parts disturbing and fascinating. Providing a glimpse into the lives of the affluent others through the vehicle of an "ordinary" person, this story demonstrates the tangled webs woven throughout the social structure of the so-called elite with an intimate and entertaining tale of intrigue. Through the narration style, the reader becomes complicit in Louise's acts, unable to stop them as Louise is unable to stop herself, which is an interesting tactic to engage readers. While characters don't necessarily need to be likable and a certain amount of frustration can be good, the characters in this novel were often simply too frustrating for me to really connect with them to fully enjoy the narrative.
Overall, I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Louise hasn't had an easy life, working endlessly to make ends meet. Lavinia has had led a privileged life, but she's battled her own demons despite the outward appearance of an easy life. After a fortuitous meeting brings Louise and Lavinia together, the two become inseparable and entangled in a toxic relationship. While Lavinia offers Louise an opportunity to experience some of the finer aspects of life, the pair become increasingly and dangerously dependent upon one another - Louise for the financial benefits a friendship with Lavinia offers and Lavinia for the caretaking skills that Louise invariably provides to maintain her access to the life of excess. When things go too far and their relationship is threatened Louise fights to maintain the life she's now become accustomed to.
A slow build toward a quick spiral down into dark, depraved depths, the narrative is equal parts disturbing and fascinating. Providing a glimpse into the lives of the affluent others through the vehicle of an "ordinary" person, this story demonstrates the tangled webs woven throughout the social structure of the so-called elite with an intimate and entertaining tale of intrigue. Through the narration style, the reader becomes complicit in Louise's acts, unable to stop them as Louise is unable to stop herself, which is an interesting tactic to engage readers. While characters don't necessarily need to be likable and a certain amount of frustration can be good, the characters in this novel were often simply too frustrating for me to really connect with them to fully enjoy the narrative.
Overall, I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
jaclyncrupi's review against another edition
4.0
This was an incredibly compelling literary psychological thriller with Gillian Flynn and Donna Tartt vibes (and I don’t compare to either of them lightly). Burton controls the narrative of dazzling New York social climbing life with skill and menace. I loved hating Louise and Lavinia and their toxic friendship and despite the madness of what happens I was completely along for the ride.
ashleysummer87's review against another edition
5.0
Review time ☆
Social creature by Tara Isabella Burton 5/5⭐️
It’s been months since I’ve finished this book and I genuinely cannot get it out of my head. I won’t spoil anything in this review but social creature explored the depths of delusion and obsession while also providing and glitzy atmosphere ( which really reminded me of gossip girl )
Louise is broke in the big city and refused to call her parents for financial assistance since she agonizes the thought of moving back home. She will do almost anything to scrape by idealizing a different lifestyle. If almost on cue, enter Lavinia, a beautiful and charming manic pixie dream girl who sets her sights on older and more reserved Louise. Together they quickly form an intense relationship, hardly ever being apart. From there, they spiral into the party and fashion scene with no lack of drugs, alcohol, and money thanks to lavinia’s riskay and spontaneous lifestyle. Louise can’t help but wish to be in Lavinias shoes yet her appreciation for Lavinia whips into a distain and much more than trivial obsession.
I loved this book and will recommend to literally everyone. Thanks for reading & happy reading
Social creature by Tara Isabella Burton 5/5⭐️
It’s been months since I’ve finished this book and I genuinely cannot get it out of my head. I won’t spoil anything in this review but social creature explored the depths of delusion and obsession while also providing and glitzy atmosphere ( which really reminded me of gossip girl )
Louise is broke in the big city and refused to call her parents for financial assistance since she agonizes the thought of moving back home. She will do almost anything to scrape by idealizing a different lifestyle. If almost on cue, enter Lavinia, a beautiful and charming manic pixie dream girl who sets her sights on older and more reserved Louise. Together they quickly form an intense relationship, hardly ever being apart. From there, they spiral into the party and fashion scene with no lack of drugs, alcohol, and money thanks to lavinia’s riskay and spontaneous lifestyle. Louise can’t help but wish to be in Lavinias shoes yet her appreciation for Lavinia whips into a distain and much more than trivial obsession.
I loved this book and will recommend to literally everyone. Thanks for reading & happy reading
darya14's review against another edition
2.0
If you call name dropping great artists (composers, writers. etc)s a book, then yes, she sold it,
I am not sure. The writer seems to write herself - the fact that should worry everyone.
I am not sure. The writer seems to write herself - the fact that should worry everyone.
sarayo2001's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
leanneakaliz's review against another edition
2.0
Very bizarre book. I felt like the ending was very rushed and the beginning very drawn out. The whole way through it made you believe more was going to come out of the main characters history to explain her behaviour but the reader is left just guessing but not in a good way.
shelf_love's review against another edition
3.0
I received a free physical copy from a GoodReads giveaway.
bowden's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Eating disorder and Rape
astarions_bhaal_babe's review against another edition
4.0
“There are things it is better for a person not to know. The day and the manner of your own death, that’s one. What people say behind your back. The names somebody you love has called somebody else. There’s a reason people are able to function, in this world, as social creatures, and a good part of that reason is that there are a lot of questions intelligent people don’t ask.
My readers heart says yes but my anxiety says pls never again.
Holy toxic friendship, Batman!
This was insane!
Let me start by saying I've had this book for quite some time, now, and I've always been a bit heistant to start it, because -even though I'm not one who let's outisde influence decide for myself- I wasn't really convinced by its low ratings, and because it sort of always blurred in the background when I was checking my tbr to decide what book to pick up next.
For some reason, I could never take this off my to-read list, and now I know it was maybe a sign from the universe that I'd totally missed out on a sensational and unforgiving novel.
Social Creature is the story of a frienship that is everything but a frienship. I don't wanna spoil anything, because it's a book so raw and direct you have to savor every second of it and let it hit you right in the most uncomfortable spot of your soul.
Louise is almost thirty, single, introverted, working multiple jobs that pay only enough to pay rent, frustrated about her life, about her dreams that will never become reality. Until one day, she meets Lavinia. Lavinia is younger, richer, prettier, wilder, free in ways Louise could never be. Louise soon starts hanging out with her and her friends; Lavinia lets her wear her clothes, she takes her to the most exclusive events and the savage parties, getting a taste of a raving and luxurious life she's never believed she could have. But that's the problem with getting something you never thought you could have, right? Once you've had a taste, you can't help but want more. No matter what you have to do to make it yours.
Part The Talended Mr Ripley and part [b:Dangerous Girls|16074758|Dangerous Girls|Abigail Haas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1356513050l/16074758._SY75_.jpg|21869436], with a touch of [b:You|36430011|You (You, #1)|Caroline Kepnes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1549463282l/36430011._SY75_.jpg|39913517], Social Creature is the paper epitome of a trigger warning sign that comes with a harsh prose and a plot that tends to go as negatively as it can extend.
Every relationship in this book is so unhealthy you can't help but feel grateful you're not part of any of them, and everyone is plain horrible, in the realistic, abrasive way a gruesome trainwreck can be. Lavinia is probably the worst of them, and this also makes her my favorite. She's spoiled, imamture, the poster child for everything dark academia themed, a snake disguised as an angel in vintage clothes and designer bags. Louise, on the other hand, I've loved for the opposite reasons. Her passiveness was so repressed at the beginning of the novel and her frienship with Lavinia, that I caught myself rooting for her to show some teeth, even when she started overcoming the boudnaries of decency and . Incredible what a morally ambiguos character can do to you.
Not that in this book there are many people whose morality isn't questionable (I'm looking at you, stupid Rex), but you get the gist.
New York's wealthy scene glows in all its opulence under Burton's writing, which is a gift for those who don't mind a bit of darkness from time to time, and a salve for a soul that's been strained by a much gentler, pompous style.
I know some people would say the ending seems rushed, but I feel like it's perfectly in tune with the rest of the book.
I'm not giving this book 5 stars because as much as I liked it, it also made me so anxious I had to take a shower and get my boyfriend to make me a chamomile tea once I was down reading it, and because I felt like some parts needed more explaining.
Overall, though, it was a feral ride and a total trip I'm not willing to take anytime soon.
And trust me when I say that's a compliment.
book #33
◾this hashtag is something I self-indulgently created for fun when I decided to thin out my immense tbr list as a new years resolution starting from books I added on GR back in 2017/2018/2019, and since I can't seem to do anything quietly and I'm well known for being an overachiever, I had to go and turn it into an official thing. Feel free to check out the #PenguinOnATBRMission shelf if you don't mind keeping up with this insanely over-hyped adventure I got myself into. Take it as a chance to rediscover some books from a few years ago that might have accidentally flown under your radar, or to simply share with another fellow reader your very own reading experience. Happy reading and stay penguin-y!◾
To Be Continued...
orlaithma's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, just wow. I absolutely adored Social Creature.
Lavinia and Louise are two characters I could easily love to hate but there's no denying that together they make for a very compelling story.
Lavinia is a New York City socialite for the social media age. She regularly posts on every social media platform, shes at a different party every night always in a fabulous one of a kind dress. Shes an ex-aspiring actress, an aspiring writer and when she loves you, she really loves you.
On the other hand, there is meek, eager to please Louise. She is working multiple jobs writing articles, tutoring and working shifts in a bar all while staying up all night trying to keep up with Lavinia's lifestyle.
As you can imagine, pretty soon cracks begin to show.
I don't want to give away any spoilers but from around the halfway mark, I had to take multiple short breaks from the story because the anticipation of what is going to happen, combined with the sense of foreboding caused my anxiety to flare up. With any other such novel, I'd have been inclined to give up, but the snappy, and ever more frantic, writing kept me coming back for more.
Louise may not have been likeable but her conscious narrative was enthralling.
Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a free copy.
Lavinia and Louise are two characters I could easily love to hate but there's no denying that together they make for a very compelling story.
Lavinia is a New York City socialite for the social media age. She regularly posts on every social media platform, shes at a different party every night always in a fabulous one of a kind dress. Shes an ex-aspiring actress, an aspiring writer and when she loves you, she really loves you.
On the other hand, there is meek, eager to please Louise. She is working multiple jobs writing articles, tutoring and working shifts in a bar all while staying up all night trying to keep up with Lavinia's lifestyle.
As you can imagine, pretty soon cracks begin to show.
I don't want to give away any spoilers but from around the halfway mark, I had to take multiple short breaks from the story because the anticipation of what is going to happen, combined with the sense of foreboding caused my anxiety to flare up. With any other such novel, I'd have been inclined to give up, but the snappy, and ever more frantic, writing kept me coming back for more.
Louise may not have been likeable but her conscious narrative was enthralling.
Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a free copy.