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lovelykd's review
3.0
This isn't a thriller. I don't know why it's being marketed as such but the only thrilling thing about this short--emotionally intense--novel is its description; this may as well be billed as case study in how debilitating grief and loss can be when connected to society's need to validate women via their ability to bear children.
We meet the unnamed narrator at the end of her motherhood quest. She's childless, her husband has left her, and her job is looking less like a sure thing by the day.
In order to pass the time, she's begun to unhealthily obsess over her famous neighbor--referred to only as "the actress"--as well as spend copious amounts of time imagining different versions of herself/her life as it might have been if she were a more interesting person.
For her, the actress not only represents everything she'll never be, but wishes she was, but also her lone connection to the world she feels has rejected her because of her inability to bear children.
What we witness from there is how painful it is for the narrator to exist in a world where every woman seemingly has a purpose except her; since she's no longer sure what her role is--motherhood is out of the picture, her husband no longer wants her, and others seems only to pity or dismiss her presence altogether--she starts taking her cues from whatever roles the actress has played; she watches the actresses's movies and mimics those roles in real life.
Fake it 'til you make it, right?
Only, she seems to understand that even the "faking" of her behavior is a farce. However, that's the only thing keeping her from losing her mind altogether. It gives her a measure of peace and a form of escape from reality: which is absolutely her being a woman suffering from a case of severe depression, coupled with an unyielding grief, and a strong desire to be validated.
Her somewhat slow descent into what can only be described as absolute MADNESS is cringe-worthy and, not unpredictably, leads to tragic consequences.
I had a tough time with this book because I expected something thrilling and came out the other side confused about whatever it was I just read. HOWEVER, if you leave the expectation this will be similar to "The Woman in the Window" or "Girl on a Train", you'll likely appreciate the story more because it isn't a bad story; it simply isn't a thriller.
I received an Advanced Galley of "Looker: A Novel" from Edelweiss+ in exchange for this review.
We meet the unnamed narrator at the end of her motherhood quest. She's childless, her husband has left her, and her job is looking less like a sure thing by the day.
In order to pass the time, she's begun to unhealthily obsess over her famous neighbor--referred to only as "the actress"--as well as spend copious amounts of time imagining different versions of herself/her life as it might have been if she were a more interesting person.
For her, the actress not only represents everything she'll never be, but wishes she was, but also her lone connection to the world she feels has rejected her because of her inability to bear children.
What we witness from there is how painful it is for the narrator to exist in a world where every woman seemingly has a purpose except her; since she's no longer sure what her role is--motherhood is out of the picture, her husband no longer wants her, and others seems only to pity or dismiss her presence altogether--she starts taking her cues from whatever roles the actress has played; she watches the actresses's movies and mimics those roles in real life.
Fake it 'til you make it, right?
Only, she seems to understand that even the "faking" of her behavior is a farce. However, that's the only thing keeping her from losing her mind altogether. It gives her a measure of peace and a form of escape from reality: which is absolutely her being a woman suffering from a case of severe depression, coupled with an unyielding grief, and a strong desire to be validated.
Her somewhat slow descent into what can only be described as absolute MADNESS is cringe-worthy and, not unpredictably, leads to tragic consequences.
I had a tough time with this book because I expected something thrilling and came out the other side confused about whatever it was I just read. HOWEVER, if you leave the expectation this will be similar to "The Woman in the Window" or "Girl on a Train", you'll likely appreciate the story more because it isn't a bad story; it simply isn't a thriller.
I received an Advanced Galley of "Looker: A Novel" from Edelweiss+ in exchange for this review.
celiapowell's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not sure what to file this slim novel under, but I really enjoyed it - the narrator becomes obsessed with an actress who lives down the street, and gradually her life begins to unravel. The relentless nature of the narrative as it rushes along with the narrator's thoughts is really captivating.
hypnagogicmaze's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
reedingthroughtheyear's review against another edition
4.0
Unhinged woman level 1000.
This book, in its short 182 pages, details the descent of a woman who has been stripped from the things women are socialized to prize above all else —the roles of wife and mother. And yet, societal norms will concede, that if you aren’t a married woman or bearing children, you must have a career for which you are devoted and successful. This is your measure of worth. Our main character, once a wife, a would-be mother, and successful educator - unravels spectacularly in this novel.
The narrator, is at times likable, and other times I found myself gasping in horror at her actions. (No spoilers but i audibly gasped)
She finds solace in an imagined other, which takes the form of an actress that lives next door. The actress is beautiful, effortless, fertile, and inhabits a life of ease in a way that the narrator is deeply envious of. Her perceived proximity to this person and the imaginary ways in which their lives may intersect in the future provides solace and meaning to the narrator in ways I found psychologically rich.
Entertaining, horrifying - this builds in its intensity. I held my breath for the last few chapters.
This book, in its short 182 pages, details the descent of a woman who has been stripped from the things women are socialized to prize above all else —the roles of wife and mother. And yet, societal norms will concede, that if you aren’t a married woman or bearing children, you must have a career for which you are devoted and successful. This is your measure of worth. Our main character, once a wife, a would-be mother, and successful educator - unravels spectacularly in this novel.
The narrator, is at times likable, and other times I found myself gasping in horror at her actions. (No spoilers but i audibly gasped)
She finds solace in an imagined other, which takes the form of an actress that lives next door. The actress is beautiful, effortless, fertile, and inhabits a life of ease in a way that the narrator is deeply envious of. Her perceived proximity to this person and the imaginary ways in which their lives may intersect in the future provides solace and meaning to the narrator in ways I found psychologically rich.
Entertaining, horrifying - this builds in its intensity. I held my breath for the last few chapters.
hotforbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Such a cool, weird, fascinating window into the psyche of a stalker who begins with innocent intentions. Some might say it's slow moving, but I thought it was cryptic and realistic; I could hardly keep up.
alienclans's review against another edition
4.0
Torn between 4 and 5 stars. This is exactly my kind of novel. I love character studies like this. If you’re the kind of person who complains about books being “pointless,” skip this. If you enjoy getting into the head of a character, especially unlikable, troubled women, you will like this. In some ways, it reminded me of Bitter Orange but this one is more fun.
I really enjoyed this novel. It felt increasingly chaotic. I was right there with the narrator the whole time, wondering what she would do next. She makes so many bad decisions and just spirals, spirals, spirals. I related to her in a weird way. I have nothing in common with her but I can relate to that feeling of losing control over your life and giving in to the worst parts of yourself because sometimes it’s easier and sometimes it feels better than resisting your worst self. On my worst days, I want to give in to the desire to destroy my own life, much like she does. Destruction by your own hand can feel better than destruction by circumstance (in this case, feeling like a failure because she can’t have children and her husband left her, both of which she can’t control). She leans into failure and destruction until she has nothing.
I really enjoyed this novel. It felt increasingly chaotic. I was right there with the narrator the whole time, wondering what she would do next. She makes so many bad decisions and just spirals, spirals, spirals. I related to her in a weird way. I have nothing in common with her but I can relate to that feeling of losing control over your life and giving in to the worst parts of yourself because sometimes it’s easier and sometimes it feels better than resisting your worst self. On my worst days, I want to give in to the desire to destroy my own life, much like she does. Destruction by your own hand can feel better than destruction by circumstance (in this case, feeling like a failure because she can’t have children and her husband left her, both of which she can’t control). She leans into failure and destruction until she has nothing.
anniejmelody's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-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
2.75
dana77's review against another edition
5.0
I read this compulsively! The unnamed narrator spirals so quickly out of control. I couldn’t put it down!
seed193reads's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Cat will stick with me.
annalg0514's review against another edition
3.0
I expected a lot more based on the back cover. Kind of a letdown for me. It was not much of a “psychological thriller” for me. Just stalker White chick vibes