solasuaine's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Medical content, and Miscarriage
chelseamartinez's review against another edition
4.0
One of several books I've read lately that reminds me it's almost a decade since I finished grad school, a difficult time I thought would never end, and even when it did, would mark my psychology forever; this one is not in my field but one college friends who doctorated (haha not a word) in New York exposed me to a bit.
Lots of bodily fluids (boogers, stray hairs, I pictured her almost like a Robert Gober sculpture, but in a cardigan whose shoulders are raised in points from being stored on the wrong sort of hanger) and feelings here mix with professional disappointments. The academic conference in Vegas that's very entertaining and the book wraps with marking papers, because obviously the end of a semester is the right place to cut it off.
Lots of bodily fluids (boogers, stray hairs, I pictured her almost like a Robert Gober sculpture, but in a cardigan whose shoulders are raised in points from being stored on the wrong sort of hanger) and feelings here mix with professional disappointments. The academic conference in Vegas that's very entertaining and the book wraps with marking papers, because obviously the end of a semester is the right place to cut it off.
smute's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
At first I was surprised to see so many negative reviews for this book, but having read it now I can see why some people might be put off by it. Firstly, it doesn't offer much in terms of plot. In fact, most of the action takes place outside of the narrated time. We begin post rem, learn a lot about past events, are even encouraged to anticipate future events, but the few weeks covered in the story are remarkably uneventful. Secondly, and not coincidentally, the text is deeply introspective, emotional, and it paints a gloomy picture of our (pre-)apocalyptic world. It made me laugh out loud more than once but much of its humor stems from the absurd contrast between the protagonist's resigned levity and her lostness in an indifferent world. But that's also where the story's magic lies. Smallwood manages to turn familiar mundane moments into relevant, poignant observations on life in the 21st century—on fear, privilege, guilt, resignation, powerlessness, acceptance, and even hope. What the story lacks in amusement it more than makes up for in hyper-examined introspection. Yes, there are a lot of stories about academics with low self-esteem, but rarely do they hit as close to home as this one. If that's your jam, you're gonna love it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Miscarriage, Alcohol, Medical content, Pregnancy, Abortion, and Gore
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
julieh46's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
what_g_reads's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
beatrice_k's review against another edition
4.0
It’s like, what if the nameless best friend got a whole novel about her? Obsessed with that ending. Christine Smallwood knew what she was doing. It wasn’t fun, but she knew what she was doing.
lasophie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
yossarianlives's review against another edition
4.0
I'm an an English professor and this hit close to home, the love of the work, the grinding instability endured while seeking a career job, the "miscarried" careers of generations of dedicated scholars. So many sparkling sections--on doors, on grading, on karaoke.