rebeccapippy's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mhysaofdragons's review against another edition
5.0
This was a reread for me. Loved it the first time and I love it still. It’s amazing how much crazier Joe is in the book than the show. I love his inner monologue and his talking to typewriters. Beck’s death is so horrible and I can’t believe the show didn’t make it closer to the book. Shoving pages down her throat…that was something. One thing I wish was in the book, because I do think it made the ending better, was Beck framing Dr. Nicky for her death with her short story. Whoever came up with that idea was genius. Nevertheless this book is great and an easy read.
checkabookout's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
3.25
sad_vibes_on_radio's review against another edition
dark
tense
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
xhorizen's review against another edition
5.0
Just... Wow. Creepy and amazing and it was so uncomfortable to read, very well written!
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
3.0
This book is narrated by a stalker, and it is every bit as creepy and vile as you would expect such a book to be. Joe lives a solitary life and works in a bookstore. When a pretty girl walks in and casually flirts with him across the counter, it's the beginning of a twisted game of cat and mouse.
It turns out Joe's quarry, Beck, is a prolific social media user, unwittingly flooding him with a constant stream of information about herself, which he uses to startling and sickening effect. No one can be allowed to stand in the way of what Joe sees as their true love. He is willing to do just about anything to get with her—from staging a meet cute, to breaking into her apartment for recon, to threatening the life of her clingy friend Peach (yes, Peach—this is NYC, did I mention?), and much more that is too creeptastic to go into here.
You is very much a book of its moment, with the social media and pop culture references, and Beck's obsession with publicly documenting the minutiae of her life. And even though she and her friends roll their eyes at the show “Girls,” that is exactly what they reminded me of, with their insistence on dating immature guys and their fake, two-faced relationships with each other, saccharine one minute and claws out the next.
If you're in the market for a read that will make you want a shower as badly as you want to find out what happens next, this is that book.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
It turns out Joe's quarry, Beck, is a prolific social media user, unwittingly flooding him with a constant stream of information about herself, which he uses to startling and sickening effect. No one can be allowed to stand in the way of what Joe sees as their true love. He is willing to do just about anything to get with her—from staging a meet cute, to breaking into her apartment for recon, to threatening the life of her clingy friend Peach (yes, Peach—this is NYC, did I mention?), and much more that is too creeptastic to go into here.
You is very much a book of its moment, with the social media and pop culture references, and Beck's obsession with publicly documenting the minutiae of her life. And even though she and her friends roll their eyes at the show “Girls,” that is exactly what they reminded me of, with their insistence on dating immature guys and their fake, two-faced relationships with each other, saccharine one minute and claws out the next.
If you're in the market for a read that will make you want a shower as badly as you want to find out what happens next, this is that book.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
brittsky's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.5
Every time I read this (and this was my third time through), I’m surprised anew by how endlessly explicit it is. Joe’s inner monologue is lurid and obscene and it does not let up for a single second.
And yet, for some reason, this particular stream of obscenities really works for me. I think Caroline Kepnes is a uniquely talented writer, capable of giving us a cast of horribly depraved characters and a sick, twisted little plot, and making it both explosive and educational. I feel like this is the best sort of cautionary tale, getting to live in Joe’s head and listen to him rationalize how nothing he does is ever his fault. It’s so disturbing, but in a way that feels purposeful, and the unique second-person perspective makes the readers feel they are in it, experiencing it.
And yet, for some reason, this particular stream of obscenities really works for me. I think Caroline Kepnes is a uniquely talented writer, capable of giving us a cast of horribly depraved characters and a sick, twisted little plot, and making it both explosive and educational. I feel like this is the best sort of cautionary tale, getting to live in Joe’s head and listen to him rationalize how nothing he does is ever his fault. It’s so disturbing, but in a way that feels purposeful, and the unique second-person perspective makes the readers feel they are in it, experiencing it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Stalking, Murder, Sexism, and Rape
krystynfrye's review against another edition
5.0
This was an incredible, creepy, wild ride of a book. The entire twist on perspective alone makes it work a read.
booktokbrie's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5