jrydzins's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
aliceelizabethb's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kjboldon's review against another edition
Gave up at page 90. The writing style felt at war with the story being told. Style was full of similes, but the plot needed more muscular, straightforward prose. Also, the opening frame felt clumsy. Easy to put down, so I did.
gondorgirl's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Violence and Alcohol
moiracampbell23's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
meredithw20's review against another edition
4.0
What a freakin' way with words Emma Cline has. A few distracting moments of repetition in her very specific style.
apinsk's review against another edition
5.0
Writing - beautiful, with metaphors and subtle persuasion. Sentences separated or combined for forceful effect.
Subject matter - vital, disturbing, exciting. Discussion of topics that are often overlooked, such as non-romantic/questionably romantic attraction and obsession, subdued manipulation, the reality of certain familial situations.
Themes - violence, wealth, coming-of-age, love/desire, family, friendship/partnership, misunderstanding, manipulation, THE INEVITABLE YET PETRIFYING STUPIDITY OF THE TEENAGE BRAIN.
quote: "I hesitated, and Suzanne reached out to play with a part of my hair. She was always doing that: picking burrs off my shirt, once wedging a fingernail between my front teeth to dislodge a bit of food. Breaching the boundaries to let me know they didn't exist" (203).
Nicely paced, honestly told. Cline makes comments that are so accurate, powerful, applicable.
Read it for the writing if nothing else.
Subject matter - vital, disturbing, exciting. Discussion of topics that are often overlooked, such as non-romantic/questionably romantic attraction and obsession, subdued manipulation, the reality of certain familial situations.
Themes - violence, wealth, coming-of-age, love/desire, family, friendship/partnership, misunderstanding, manipulation, THE INEVITABLE YET PETRIFYING STUPIDITY OF THE TEENAGE BRAIN.
quote: "I hesitated, and Suzanne reached out to play with a part of my hair. She was always doing that: picking burrs off my shirt, once wedging a fingernail between my front teeth to dislodge a bit of food. Breaching the boundaries to let me know they didn't exist" (203).
Nicely paced, honestly told. Cline makes comments that are so accurate, powerful, applicable.
Read it for the writing if nothing else.
megbecker's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5