sierra_color's review against another edition
1.0
This book isn’t worth it.
I know it is a critical masterpiece, but good lord. No. No this isn’t how you write about violence in books, especially violence towards women.
The writing glorifies it, and uses words a survivor/ victim of violence would NEVER use to describe Wha has happened to them. I know people who have gone through this shit, and seeing it cast in a literary light and glorified and beautified is disgusting. When I saw the author’s picture, I KNEW I couldn’t read it. He’s sort of smug, when you look at him, and he seems like the kind of guy who takes one philosophy class and the next thing you know, he’s giving you unsolicited advice.
But I’m not reviewing this to roast the author. I’m reviewing this because you can clearly see this guy didn’t talk to women and survivors of abuse, just through the writing. Turtle is so distant (I get that is supposed to be the point) but he only skims the surface of her character! Which doesn’t make sense because she IS THE MAIN CHARACTER!!! I know I only read 135 pages in, but honestly, I’ve read books that make me sympathetic towards a character in ten pages, and give characters more characterization in half of that. So please, spare me.
I’m so tired of books like these. The violence is literary and not real. These books are so common, especially with men. It’s just another case of “We the animals” and “I have the right to destroy myself” but this time.. with a CHILD!! And a girl!! For that matter! This book lacks emotion, I have no reason to want to cheer for Turtle, because she’s given no character. I was actually excited to read this one, because it sounded interesting! I thought that this would be a book of empowerment.. but no. It’s not.
It’s just another case of an man writing about violence because it’s supposed to be literary. This book has no substance, and I utterly hate it. Look, if you want a book that talks about violence, but isn’t purely torture porn but with descriptions of nature, go for Girls Burn Brighter by Shobha Rao. Please, that book actually has a fucking purpose instead of this. This is literally what I hate male authors (and sometimes women authors, but mostly male from my experience)
In conclusion, this book is supposed to make you think it’s a masterpiece. It’s not. It’s literally not. All things good, it is not. It’s fancy junk. Oh? And do u have to mention we have the classic “guy who reads classical literature and is super smart and philosophical” trope in here?
If that doesn’t turn you off and make you turn away, then I don’t know what will. The only reason I gave this book two stars is because of the writing, it’s nice, and the descriptions can really suck you in, but goodness no. This isn’t how you write a book about violence. When I read this book I was reminded of Watership Down. Which even though I enjoy that book, the tone of said book isn’t right for the plot of this one. Just.. if you’re triggered by abuse, especially sexual abuse, don’t read this. There’s nothing to it, it’s just.. beautified violence. It’s not worth it.
I know it is a critical masterpiece, but good lord. No. No this isn’t how you write about violence in books, especially violence towards women.
The writing glorifies it, and uses words a survivor/ victim of violence would NEVER use to describe Wha has happened to them. I know people who have gone through this shit, and seeing it cast in a literary light and glorified and beautified is disgusting. When I saw the author’s picture, I KNEW I couldn’t read it. He’s sort of smug, when you look at him, and he seems like the kind of guy who takes one philosophy class and the next thing you know, he’s giving you unsolicited advice.
But I’m not reviewing this to roast the author. I’m reviewing this because you can clearly see this guy didn’t talk to women and survivors of abuse, just through the writing. Turtle is so distant (I get that is supposed to be the point) but he only skims the surface of her character! Which doesn’t make sense because she IS THE MAIN CHARACTER!!! I know I only read 135 pages in, but honestly, I’ve read books that make me sympathetic towards a character in ten pages, and give characters more characterization in half of that. So please, spare me.
I’m so tired of books like these. The violence is literary and not real. These books are so common, especially with men. It’s just another case of “We the animals” and “I have the right to destroy myself” but this time.. with a CHILD!! And a girl!! For that matter! This book lacks emotion, I have no reason to want to cheer for Turtle, because she’s given no character. I was actually excited to read this one, because it sounded interesting! I thought that this would be a book of empowerment.. but no. It’s not.
It’s just another case of an man writing about violence because it’s supposed to be literary. This book has no substance, and I utterly hate it. Look, if you want a book that talks about violence, but isn’t purely torture porn but with descriptions of nature, go for Girls Burn Brighter by Shobha Rao. Please, that book actually has a fucking purpose instead of this. This is literally what I hate male authors (and sometimes women authors, but mostly male from my experience)
In conclusion, this book is supposed to make you think it’s a masterpiece. It’s not. It’s literally not. All things good, it is not. It’s fancy junk. Oh? And do u have to mention we have the classic “guy who reads classical literature and is super smart and philosophical” trope in here?
If that doesn’t turn you off and make you turn away, then I don’t know what will. The only reason I gave this book two stars is because of the writing, it’s nice, and the descriptions can really suck you in, but goodness no. This isn’t how you write a book about violence. When I read this book I was reminded of Watership Down. Which even though I enjoy that book, the tone of said book isn’t right for the plot of this one. Just.. if you’re triggered by abuse, especially sexual abuse, don’t read this. There’s nothing to it, it’s just.. beautified violence. It’s not worth it.
kneirinck's review against another edition
3.0
I finished My Absolute Darling on audio yesterday. It was certainly a compelling read - I kept returning again and again to the book to finish it faster.
That being said this book is GRAPHIC and I was unable to listen in front of my 3 year old daughter as the words and themes were too mature.
I liked Turtle as a main character, especially in the beginning. She is struggling with school and my first thought was that she was struggling with a learning disorder of some kind. When the discovery is made that it is actually (likely) years of emotional and physical abuse that causes Turtle to struggle with learning certain things. Her obsession with her guns and survival at first struck me as an extension of her father, but with time seemed to be her own.
Overall I felt like the plot had a good pace to it, though there were times it seemed to get "stuck" in its own pauses. Maybe the audio accentuated that since the repetitive nature was extremely apparent.
I did like that the relationship between Turtle and her Dad was complex and had enough in between moments to show that in most abusive relationships most of the moments are fine or neutral with some sharp trauma punctured in between.
I can tolerate heavy topics fairly well but the persistence of it in this book served questionable purpose to me. I would have been far more interested in Turtles struggles coming out of her learned misogyny and trying to form bonds with other girls or women. Or learning more about her mother who as it stands seemed to be nothing substantial. There was a moment with Caroline (her best friend) but then nothing came of that and instead we saw over and over Martin's erratic and unpredictable nature.
I am glad I read this book in the end, even if it doesn't sit well. Sometimes those kinds lead to the best discussions
That being said this book is GRAPHIC and I was unable to listen in front of my 3 year old daughter as the words and themes were too mature.
I liked Turtle as a main character, especially in the beginning. She is struggling with school and my first thought was that she was struggling with a learning disorder of some kind. When the discovery is made that it is actually (likely) years of emotional and physical abuse that causes Turtle to struggle with learning certain things. Her obsession with her guns and survival at first struck me as an extension of her father, but with time seemed to be her own.
Overall I felt like the plot had a good pace to it, though there were times it seemed to get "stuck" in its own pauses. Maybe the audio accentuated that since the repetitive nature was extremely apparent.
I did like that the relationship between Turtle and her Dad was complex and had enough in between moments to show that in most abusive relationships most of the moments are fine or neutral with some sharp trauma punctured in between.
I can tolerate heavy topics fairly well but the persistence of it in this book served questionable purpose to me. I would have been far more interested in Turtles struggles coming out of her learned misogyny and trying to form bonds with other girls or women. Or learning more about her mother who as it stands seemed to be nothing substantial. There was a moment with Caroline (her best friend) but then nothing came of that and instead we saw over and over Martin's erratic and unpredictable nature.
I am glad I read this book in the end, even if it doesn't sit well. Sometimes those kinds lead to the best discussions
kelbi's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to this on Audible. It was brilliantly read to the extent I didn’t notice! I loved this book, though the subject matter was very hard to take. There were times, towards the end, when I thought the action a bit dragged out, but that is a minor quibble
turtletats's review against another edition
1.0
Survivalist gun slinging wet dream of a young male author.
If you're looking for an insightful, non exploitative, well written exploration of themes surrounding child abuse - hard pass on this sensationalist garbage.
If you're looking for an insightful, non exploitative, well written exploration of themes surrounding child abuse - hard pass on this sensationalist garbage.
lisa_berrones's review against another edition
4.0
Brutal and beautiful. The first third of the book is very hard to read, but the writing is very, very good.
mairynscho26's review against another edition
3.0
This was a tough book to read. Lots and lots of descriptive abuse that I wasn’t prepared to read. It’s in third person but I think it would’ve been more impactful had it been first person. I also wanted a little bit more insight into her friendship between her and Jacob. I don’t think that was well fleshed out.
hnwilliams13's review against another edition
1.0
I couldn't finish it. Made it about 1/4 of the way through. Nothing to like about any of the characters and really disturbing.
lbarnhill3's review against another edition
3.0
This book… oh dear lord this book was just awful!! The attempt was appreciated, but the storyline and the writing were just not meshing for me.
Having a story about enduring childhood abuse is intense and meaningful. The way the author wrote it was just terrible. So much gratuitous misogyny. Like we get it, Martin is an asshole who has his daughter convinced that she’s worthless and all women are too. The guns… do they have every gun ever manufactured?! I know more about the guns in the story than I do about anything else. How is NO ONE calling Social Services on this family? From what we hear about Turtle in school, why has no teacher ever called social services? They bring up her needing to see a counselor, but not have social services involved? Why didn't Jacob or Brett’s families call social services? As a former school nurse who has called social services more times than I can count, this was outright frustrating and enraging how many people failed her.
The characters… I just… Turtle is fairly complex. Martin is narcissistic & sadistic. Grandpa is just clueless. Brett & Jacob are obviously intelligent young men but HOLY COW!! Obnoxious bouncing from gym bro talk to nerd talk to philosophy?! Poor little Cayenne… she felt well written.
This book. I just don’t know. It was painful to get through.
Having a story about enduring childhood abuse is intense and meaningful. The way the author wrote it was just terrible. So much gratuitous misogyny. Like we get it, Martin is an asshole who has his daughter convinced that she’s worthless and all women are too. The guns… do they have every gun ever manufactured?! I know more about the guns in the story than I do about anything else. How is NO ONE calling Social Services on this family? From what we hear about Turtle in school, why has no teacher ever called social services? They bring up her needing to see a counselor, but not have social services involved? Why didn't Jacob or Brett’s families call social services? As a former school nurse who has called social services more times than I can count, this was outright frustrating and enraging how many people failed her.
The characters… I just… Turtle is fairly complex. Martin is narcissistic & sadistic. Grandpa is just clueless. Brett & Jacob are obviously intelligent young men but HOLY COW!! Obnoxious bouncing from gym bro talk to nerd talk to philosophy?! Poor little Cayenne… she felt well written.
This book. I just don’t know. It was painful to get through.
rell_jo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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
3.5
miszmuis's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0