Scan barcode
likeagilmoregirl's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
Instead of recounting the premise of this novel as other reviews have done very well, I would simply like to say that this novel is not going to be for everyone, but it is worth the attempt.
The narrator in this novel (the wife/Obsessor) can only be described as unwell and unlikable. I found this stream-of-consciousness narration difficult to get through at times, yet I felt just connected enough to keep reading. The wife is awful, but familiar. She is representative of the contradictory lives that people who identify as women are expected to lead. And because of that, it was easy to relate to her and even easier to hate her.
For a majority of this work, I expected to rate this 3.5 stars. Until the last 30 pages. The final chapter and the epilogue completely change the perspective we have of the wife’s actions with an abrupt, yet not completely unsurprising turn. Was an epilogue really worth treading through the entire novel? For me, absolutely, it was well worth it. This was a 5 star read for me and I can’t wait to read it again.
The narrator in this novel (the wife/Obsessor) can only be described as unwell and unlikable. I found this stream-of-consciousness narration difficult to get through at times, yet I felt just connected enough to keep reading. The wife is awful, but familiar. She is representative of the contradictory lives that people who identify as women are expected to lead. And because of that, it was easy to relate to her and even easier to hate her.
For a majority of this work, I expected to rate this 3.5 stars. Until the last 30 pages. The final chapter and the epilogue completely change the perspective we have of the wife’s actions with an abrupt, yet not completely unsurprising turn. Was an epilogue really worth treading through the entire novel? For me, absolutely, it was well worth it. This was a 5 star read for me and I can’t wait to read it again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Infertility and Pregnancy
pookiee's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-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
4.25
this is a slice-of-life following a week in the perspective of a woman who's seriously obsessed with her husband, constantly overanalyzing every one of his words and actions and taking great pains to act a certain way so as to influence him or punish him. it has a bit of the energy of the domestic thriller but is not really a thriller like storygraph says; it's pretty monotonous.
the narration was super interesting to me, despite it being mostly just her inner thoughts. she's uniquely unhinged without showing it on the outside. i don't know that all her musings are true (are being the giver or the receiver of love really the only options?), but they all made me stop and think. i did not like the epilogue—it felt like a cheap and easy ending—but even it made me really think.
i'm proud i was able to get thru it w/o much trouble while learning a bunch of new terms!
the narration was super interesting to me, despite it being mostly just her inner thoughts. she's uniquely unhinged without showing it on the outside. i don't know that all her musings are true (are being the giver or the receiver of love really the only options?), but they all made me stop and think. i did not like the epilogue—it felt like a cheap and easy ending—but even it made me really think.
i'm proud i was able to get thru it w/o much trouble while learning a bunch of new terms!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
refrejarator's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Holy shit. I had no idea where this was going, and could hardly put the book down. Darkly humorous and very French.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
binreads's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I don't know how I'm supposed to go to sleep after that ending!!! I ran to my laptop to see everyone's reviews!
I'll be honest, 98% of the book is extremely slow, repetitive, and lacks any real substance, besides the fact that this woman is absolutely crazed by the obsession she has over her husband. That girl is COLD. Not just in her marriage, or with her 'friends', but I actually was taken aback by how she felt about her own damn kids.
I did NOT expect that twist in the epilogue. my jaw was DROPPED. It really does put the whole book into a different perspective. THEY BOTH CRAZY. But i'm also like....he's making HER crazy??? I don't know if I should feel bad for her or just hate both of them. Like he really said that he 'marks his territory' when he has s*x with her after she goes off with someone else like......you nasty sir. Maybe she should toss you out the window...
Without the epilogue, I would've definitely rated this lower. Mostly because I didn't enjoy that it was all just her stream of thoughts and not a lot of dialogue or character interaction. I really had to force myself to push through it. I also wouldn't categorize it in thriller or horror, I'd say it's more just dark and psychological.
I did NOT expect that twist in the epilogue. my jaw was DROPPED. It really does put the whole book into a different perspective.
Without the epilogue, I would've definitely rated this lower. Mostly because I didn't enjoy that it was all just her stream of thoughts and not a lot of dialogue or character interaction. I really had to force myself to push through it. I also wouldn't categorize it in thriller or horror, I'd say it's more just dark and psychological.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Gaslighting
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
ashleythebookwhore's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
chelseacrystal's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
slow-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
4.25
What a way to start the year! This book was my first read of 2024 and honestly? This is the standard I expect for the rest of it.
I was absolutely blown away by this book. The main character is…definitely something! But the writing is SO GOOD. Did I think it went on for about 10-20 pages too long? Yes. But the ride??? Incredible.
And that epilogue? Don’t get me started! Too too too good.
I was absolutely blown away by this book. The main character is…definitely something! But the writing is SO GOOD. Did I think it went on for about 10-20 pages too long? Yes. But the ride??? Incredible.
And that epilogue? Don’t get me started! Too too too good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
mermaidsherbet's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Gaslighting
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Infidelity
Minor: Child abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Medical content, Medical trauma, Stalking, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol