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chilicrispy's review against another edition
2.75
The character was antisemitism, fatphobic, and made SA, jokes. It was extremely off putting and didn't serve a purpose (aka lead to personal growth or comment on larger world issues). I understand Moshfeg is trying to write a complicated character that is the antithesis to what we think a woman should be, but it isn't necessarily a skill to make some one despicable. The character was pretty one note which seems like the opposite of the authors intentions. Perhaps I wasn't big brain enough, but I think there are better books about female introspection. Definitely check the content warnings.
On the pro side it was a cool concept, the writing style was snappy and did a good job of putting you in her world (sometimes to the reader's discomfort). There were some clever funny moments that I appreciated. It is clear Moshfeg is a very talented writer! I don't think her genre of books is necessarily for me.
Moderate: Addiction, Body shaming, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Antisemitism, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Classism
jasperw's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Overall I don't regret reading it, I just also don't know if I love that I've read it... but it was interesting. And it made me think - for good and for bad - and I appreciate that in a book.
I will definitly check out more from Moshfegh as an author.
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Minor: Racism and Antisemitism
lipstickitotheman's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Cancer, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Vomit, Antisemitism, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism
Minor: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
sarahaile'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Dysphoria, and Classism
itszosia's review against another edition
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism
disasterdump's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Excrement, Vomit, Antisemitism, Medical content, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
janset's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Antisemitism, and Abortion
douglasreaddimg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Antisemitism, Grief, and Death of parent
lvrdy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Drug abuse and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Racism and Antisemitism
the_mymble_daughter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Oddly felt quite light when I finished it. It was an absorbing read, I found that the world felt very real, I could imagine it entirely. Moshfegh’s narrator was expertly crafted, the realest person I’ve ever read. I enjoyed her style of writing a lot, a fab mix of gross, gritty yet also funny, getting a few laughs out of me!
I feel I could’ve read 200 more pages of the first 240 but after that I feel like it wrapped up a bit too fast and the ending is a little… unexpected? Slightly rushed too, especially for a story where generally nothing happens. I think the message is good but after all that has happened I think if she were real that wouldn’t be the outcome as its a bit too optimistic/hopeful; for such a character as her it kind of did an injustice to the overall sense of bleakness that had previously been created. Almost feels like all the work of creating an atmosphere had been undone with no real semblance of reason or care. I do think the same conclusion could’ve been come to eventually but it needed more than 10 pages.
I did definitely enjoy it however, the moral ambiguity and absurdity of it made it gripping. There’s something very raw and cold about it, she’s absolutely horrid and I love it! I think most that read it will find unpleasant parts of her personality within themselves yet at the same time find her as a whole utterly abhorrent. It’s a reminder that as humans we cannot be the perfect people we ourselves wish others to be. Though, she is quite fiercely bigoted, which I hope no one relates to….
The notion of my future suddenly snapped into focus: it didn’t exist yet. I was making it, standing there..
Minor: Racism, Antisemitism, and Abortion