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nini_readswithcats's review against another edition
3.0
Overall this is probably more like a 2.5 * book for me. On the surface this is the kind of book I would devour, true crime, con artists and wealthy socialites. However I found this book incredibly irritating, (this is a purely a personal feeling and is in no way a comment on the authors writing ability). I just found Williams the narrator, and the events she chose I assume in order to highlight how cleverly she was conned to be very difficult to sympathise with. It didn't help that the author herself recognises that her "friendship" with Anna was based on activities that she could not afford yet continued to attend paid for by Anna. Plenty of people have been brought up to see the best in people but would still stop contacting the person who had conned then out of tens of thousands of dollars once they were arrested.
I think I will probably watch and enjoy the netflix special on this story when it comes out this year as personally it wasn't the story I found grating but the narrators voice, and the amount of what I felt was padding, that was included seemingly to turn this piece from an article into a book.
I think I will probably watch and enjoy the netflix special on this story when it comes out this year as personally it wasn't the story I found grating but the narrators voice, and the amount of what I felt was padding, that was included seemingly to turn this piece from an article into a book.
courtneythursto's review against another edition
4.0
After watching the Netflix series, this was super interesting to read!!
huajin23's review against another edition
3.0
Just the craziest thing. I watched the show which I just read this in Rachel and Anna’s voice.
thequirkyreader's review against another edition
2.0
For anyone who loves the subject, but would like a much better written book: I highly recommend ‘Bad Blood’ by John Carreyrou. Everyone wants to read a story where they feel empathy for and fond feelings towards the main character. Even though the author was scammed out of $62,000, that unfortunately did not happen for me. It’s clear Rachel was happily enjoying being the side kick of a bossy girl, spending thousands of dollars with Anna on spa’s, lunches and celebrity workouts. It’s so hard to believe anyone would be okay with that kind of a unequal friendship, it says a lot about the author and her character. I also noticed her mentioning her long time BF Nick ends up traveling for months during the hardest time of her life. And she’s still with this guy? How is that even okay? And why was she persistently messaging Anna even though she was in jail and she helped the police to capture her. Why keep that up? I guess I’m left with more questions after reading the book.
jonezeemcgee's review against another edition
2.0
2.25
Shallow. The community surrounding this, Anna, the author and even the story itself seems to define shallow. The writing wasnt terrible. I will give it that. It was well paced and easy to devour. However, after reading this I can say I entered not knowing much about Anna, and finished in the same position.
The only elements of substance in this book is the naivety and continual lack of astuteness on behalf of the author. Unwitting? If so it is to a to a glaring fault. The entire book smacks of a name dropping lack of awareness. If anything, this book is a testament to how privilege can stunt you. Bailed out constantly, the author entered this story in a life without consequence and left much the same way.
Shallow. The community surrounding this, Anna, the author and even the story itself seems to define shallow. The writing wasnt terrible. I will give it that. It was well paced and easy to devour. However, after reading this I can say I entered not knowing much about Anna, and finished in the same position.
The only elements of substance in this book is the naivety and continual lack of astuteness on behalf of the author. Unwitting? If so it is to a to a glaring fault. The entire book smacks of a name dropping lack of awareness. If anything, this book is a testament to how privilege can stunt you. Bailed out constantly, the author entered this story in a life without consequence and left much the same way.
saltyotter6's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
3.5
First I watched Netflix's "The Tinder Swindler," then I had to watch the female version "Inventing Anna," and finally I had to read Rachel's book to get her side of the Anna story. The Netflix show did have me rooting against Rachel since she made so much money off book deals and movie rights plus her card debts were forgiven, but book Rachel is right, Anna still stole the money and caused Rachel over a year of dealing with the debt and panicked mindset. I will say the show is more exciting since the book is more about Rachel and her personal story during Anna interactions, while Netflix gives the whole background including the other people and socialists she scammed. Regardless, I appreciated the insight and I can finally put my Anna obsession to rest since I don't want to support her podcast or anything else. 😅