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gilliadd's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Cat's Eye is the story of a childhood ruined and the life lived in its shadow. How often are lives lived backwards to appease the children that we once were (and still are)? And how often does this unconscious fixation turn into art? Is art just a form of obsession? An attempt to understand? A process fixed in space? A snapshot of us trying?
I was a vigilant child. Always alert for where the danger may come, watchful where it may hurt. I had the tendency to read into words, misinterpret gestures; for every scene gone wrong, i have explanations ready. An agitated child, prepared for self-defense. It was self-serving and I was full of malice. People, of course, were not out to get me. People have themselves to worry. But it's a default I learned where I shouldn't - at home.
Like Elaine, I grew up with a scathing mouth, and then turned submissive, miserable. "Maybe I will never be more than what I am now." But I have learned to accept, or so I think, as Elaine did. And I also know maybe I will slice up my wrst, and pretend I slipped, as Elaine did.
I was a vigilant child. Always alert for where the danger may come, watchful where it may hurt. I had the tendency to read into words, misinterpret gestures; for every scene gone wrong, i have explanations ready. An agitated child, prepared for self-defense. It was self-serving and I was full of malice. People, of course, were not out to get me. People have themselves to worry. But it's a default I learned where I shouldn't - at home.
Like Elaine, I grew up with a scathing mouth, and then turned submissive, miserable. "Maybe I will never be more than what I am now." But I have learned to accept, or so I think, as Elaine did. And I also know maybe I will slice up my wrst, and pretend I slipped, as Elaine did.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying
gall_y's review against another edition
reflective
sad
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
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Toxic friendship
linda97's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Self harm, and Blood
marianapereira's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Suicide attempt
floralfox's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Abortion
Moderate: Death
Minor: Antisemitism and War
annatan's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Self harm and Suicide attempt
Minor: Misogyny and Death of parent
camillejov's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Body shaming
astridrv's review against another edition
Picked this one up because the intensity of female friendships in childhood is a favourite theme of mine. I felt like it was a bit too long, with many flat portions, and the main character’s boomer observations made me roll my eyes a few times. That said, the middle section is extremely strong. I think this book so finely describes what social pressure and being socialized as a woman feels like. Everything about performing femininity, the impossibility of ever succeeding at it, the consequences for those who fail, the learned inner eye for any missteps, the harsh self harm and punishment for these failings, and the internalized misogyny that pushed us towards safe, free boys - everything is in here. Also the long descriptions, especially of childhood field trips, make this a very sensory book which I appreciate. “Ten plates” will stay with me for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Abortion, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Blood
Minor: War
kou_'s review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Suicide attempt
dreamofbookspines's review
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
Extremely long winded, in the way Atwood sometimes can be. Horrifying depictions of bullying. Whole book felt like it should have been two or three separate ones, or that there should've been less jumping between past and present.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Self harm and Suicidal thoughts