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reuben_books's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
I liked the premise of the story, but felt it wasn't executed well. I did enjoy some parts, however I felt absolutely nothing once finishing it. Probably one of the least impactful books I've read in a long time - I barely felt anything reading it.
It was also fatphobic, and included a lot of other body shaming.
Both of the fat characters in it were the 'villans', and described as physically disgusting people, but only due to their size.
The book also opened with the narrator stating people are 'afflicted' by hairlips and 'unsightly' strawberry birthmarks. This isn't addressed as part of the narrative, just stated as fact, which I think is pretty disgusting, especially as these are perfectly natural things that cannot be changed.
And the love interest, who is meant to be, in effect, the 'perfect' woman, is disgusted by a wart on someone's face, and verges on being ableist about autism. Why I'd root for her as a love interest I don't know.
It also annoyed me that Guylain moaned about his job for the entirety of the book, but did nothing about it, and no reason was given as to why.
If it wasn't for all the body shaming it would rate slightly better, but not by that much. If this was meant to be a book about horrible people, then it didn't go far enough. If it was meant to be a book about nice decent people, the author has got a twisted sense of morality.
It was also fatphobic, and included a lot of other body shaming.
Both of the fat characters in it were the 'villans', and described as physically disgusting people, but only due to their size.
The book also opened with the narrator stating people are 'afflicted' by hairlips and 'unsightly' strawberry birthmarks. This isn't addressed as part of the narrative, just stated as fact, which I think is pretty disgusting, especially as these are perfectly natural things that cannot be changed.
And the love interest, who is meant to be, in effect, the 'perfect' woman, is disgusted by a wart on someone's face, and verges on being ableist about autism. Why I'd root for her as a love interest I don't know.
It also annoyed me that Guylain moaned about his job for the entirety of the book, but did nothing about it, and no reason was given as to why.
If it wasn't for all the body shaming it would rate slightly better, but not by that much. If this was meant to be a book about horrible people, then it didn't go far enough. If it was meant to be a book about nice decent people, the author has got a twisted sense of morality.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
samvansam's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Vomit
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