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crimsonreadlips's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Minor: Cancer and Death
eleeowart's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
fast-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
4.25
Lisa Taddeo’s writing is so unique, succinct and impactful. I reread sentences multiple times just to keep chewing on them because I like the taste. She’s relentless.
Women are always the focus of her writing, and through various women’s experiences, she uncovers the darkest pieces of living in society as a woman—the fatphobia, blatant misogyny and stereotypes can be a lot to get through. But isn’t that the reality? It’s through these unlikablw characters thoughts that’s we get to unpack the filth and darkest sides of humanity. Definite trigger warnings though.
Women are always the focus of her writing, and through various women’s experiences, she uncovers the darkest pieces of living in society as a woman—the fatphobia, blatant misogyny and stereotypes can be a lot to get through. But isn’t that the reality? It’s through these unlikablw characters thoughts that’s we get to unpack the filth and darkest sides of humanity. Definite trigger warnings though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, and Alcohol
foundeasily's review against another edition
dark
reflective
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
1.75
The prose is lively and the stories well plotted for what they are. I would hardly say she isn't a good writer. That said... the class character and overall feel of the book were off-putting.
I enjoy a book or story with an unlikable protagonist but it's a lot harder when the writer seems to loathe them, as well. And the dislike seems to come from a moralizing and loaded point of view of the author.
The collection beginning with a story built around a false or (at least grey area) rape accusation, with shallowly inflected revenge motivation put a very bad taste in my mouth. Not only including a story built around it but leading off with it and naming the collection after it is a politically and morally loaded choice.
I continued on and hoped it was an aberration. I really enjoyed, for instance, Detransition Baby, which initially I felt awkward about for it's centering of detransition but came to see it as a complex and thoughtful choice. Taddeo instead continued with a series of stories built around what she seems to see as shallow, lonely and secretly pathetic women. Few, if any, round out around these qualities into fully realized complex characters. There feels like there is a self loathing, grafted onto each character.
I haven't read her novels and I could imagine a version of these types that more fully fleshed out accomplishes more and better. However, within the short story form, these fail to inspire me, outside of good prose style, occasional small insights and turns of phrase.
There was one or two stories I liked well enough and fell into the same traps a little less or at least somewhat transcended them. But overall, this was a frustrating read.
I enjoy a book or story with an unlikable protagonist but it's a lot harder when the writer seems to loathe them, as well. And the dislike seems to come from a moralizing and loaded point of view of the author.
The collection beginning with a story built around a false or (at least grey area) rape accusation, with shallowly inflected revenge motivation put a very bad taste in my mouth. Not only including a story built around it but leading off with it and naming the collection after it is a politically and morally loaded choice.
I continued on and hoped it was an aberration. I really enjoyed, for instance, Detransition Baby, which initially I felt awkward about for it's centering of detransition but came to see it as a complex and thoughtful choice. Taddeo instead continued with a series of stories built around what she seems to see as shallow, lonely and secretly pathetic women. Few, if any, round out around these qualities into fully realized complex characters. There feels like there is a self loathing, grafted onto each character.
I haven't read her novels and I could imagine a version of these types that more fully fleshed out accomplishes more and better. However, within the short story form, these fail to inspire me, outside of good prose style, occasional small insights and turns of phrase.
There was one or two stories I liked well enough and fell into the same traps a little less or at least somewhat transcended them. But overall, this was a frustrating read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
One story revolved around a false or at least grey sexual assault allegation that is talked about as a weaponized revenge for a perceived slight.julietealy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Every time I read Lisa Taddeo I feel like she is writing to me. Ghost Lover is an engrossing collection of short stories that beautifully capture the female experience. I love the way that Taddeo writes about lust, rage, ageing, jealousy, friendship, and love. Her characters are raw and complex and flawed, and that's what I love so much about her work. I really savored reading this book because each story felt so special to me. My favorite stories in this collection are Ghost Lover, Fourty-Two, Air Supply, and A Suburban Weekend. This is my new favorite collection of short stories. Each one scratched my brain in a different way, and I really appreciate how cohesive this collection is. Thank you SO much to Caroline and Avid Reader Press for sending me this ARC 💘 I am so grateful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Medical content, and Sexual harassment