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rtthalia's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Body shaming, Death, Drug use, Excrement, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Abandonment, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Antisemitism, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infertility, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pregnancy, War, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, and Miscarriage
persnickery's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
mstjohn813's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexism, Abortion, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, and Suicide
courtneyhollyy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Addiction, Sexual violence, Rape, Drug abuse, Suicide, and Abortion
Moderate: Antisemitism, Mental illness, Child abuse, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
racheybakey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Oates has achieved something amazing here, by taking an icon and a context and developing it into a genuis, beautifully written meditation on fame and the toxicity of modern media. However, the second half of the book becomes repetitive and I skimmed a lot of it.
The first half of the book uses amazing language around the setting of Los Angeles to evoke why it was easy to go mad in the town. In these sections Norma Jeane's voice is strong and emotive, but her voice fades as Oates explores the deteoriation of her mental health. This leaves the narrative messy and even annoying at tim am
The theme of the 'Dark Prince' throughout feels hammy at first, but comes to a stunning conclusion, presenting a daring perspective on her death while upholding the notion that Norma Jeane was always under threat by the patriarchy.
Overall, I both loved and hated this book, and will think about it for a very long time.
Graphic: Rape and Suicide
maplegrey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Abortion, Body shaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, and Toxic relationship