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janinaloveletters's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This is a weird book but not the kind of weird book I wanted. I was in the mood for something like Bones & All and Monsters but what I got was more like Earthlings, some kind of incest-esque psychopathic/psychotic fever dream. It's written well and a very fast read but also uncomfortable and I did make a face when I read one blurb on the back saying it was "a sexy, contrary book" and it's basically about a teenage girl. :///
tw/cw: masturbation, incest, sexual acts, violence, drugs, anxiety, manipulation, gaslighting, domestic abuse, i would also guess schizophrenia (the mother) and psychopathic tendencies (Pearl), self harm
tw/cw: masturbation, incest, sexual acts, violence, drugs, anxiety, manipulation, gaslighting, domestic abuse, i would also guess schizophrenia (the mother) and psychopathic tendencies (Pearl), self harm
Content Warnings
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Incest and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual content and Violence
kittyg's review
4.0
I am so glad that I finally got a chance to pick this one up and read it becuase it's the first book in a long time where I have just sat and read the whole thing in one sitting. This is definitely not going to be a book for everyone as it is twisted and dark and filled with sinister thoughts and a young girl. Basically all the dark images that come to mind when I say those things are probably covered within this.
I have to say that Deborah Kay Davies has extraordinary talent with words and the frank and yet beautiful way she told stories worked so very well here. Each left-hand page has just one word whist each right-hand page features a mini story (linked with those before & after) about Pearl. I liked this format a lot as it felt as though you were really getting snapshots of Pearl's adventures and life, and the pacing was fast, yet lyrical.
Pearl is a young girl right at the start and it's immediately obvious to the reader that she's not a 'normal' child becuase of the violent and sexual tendencies she displays. I have to say that this made me uncomfortable, and yet I related to it (in small sections, don't worry I'm not as crazy as Pearl or her mother) too. Whilst Pearl seems quite unusual and maybe even dangerous at first, as the story goes on we get to see where these tendencies may have come from with her abusive mother and neglectful father. I really thought that the family shown here is messed up badly, but also sooo interesting to read about.
On the whole, excellently written and my only complaint is that there could have been a little more at the ending to see exactly where the characters would end up. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed this and I will certainly look out for more by this author in future. 4.5*s
I have to say that Deborah Kay Davies has extraordinary talent with words and the frank and yet beautiful way she told stories worked so very well here. Each left-hand page has just one word whist each right-hand page features a mini story (linked with those before & after) about Pearl. I liked this format a lot as it felt as though you were really getting snapshots of Pearl's adventures and life, and the pacing was fast, yet lyrical.
Pearl is a young girl right at the start and it's immediately obvious to the reader that she's not a 'normal' child becuase of the violent and sexual tendencies she displays. I have to say that this made me uncomfortable, and yet I related to it (in small sections, don't worry I'm not as crazy as Pearl or her mother) too. Whilst Pearl seems quite unusual and maybe even dangerous at first, as the story goes on we get to see where these tendencies may have come from with her abusive mother and neglectful father. I really thought that the family shown here is messed up badly, but also sooo interesting to read about.
On the whole, excellently written and my only complaint is that there could have been a little more at the ending to see exactly where the characters would end up. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed this and I will certainly look out for more by this author in future. 4.5*s
ptcruisergirl's review against another edition
3.0
I appreciate what it takes to envision and create a story such as this; but it wasn't very fulfilling read for me.
sams84's review against another edition
2.0
Okay, given the number of good reviews this has I think I am seriously missing something. Granted the writing is beautiful, descriptive and easy to read and the main character is interesting with plenty of suggestion of depth and of something not quite right going on. But that was all it was, a suggestion. Because there is no real story line or building of characters, the book leads nowhere in particular. It does get you there fast given the formatting style but it still goes nowhere. It hints at pyschological breakdowns, mental trauma, the need for fitting in or having control of some kind over someone or something. But it is only hints. Not really my cup of tea but I'm glad I tried it.
thereading_giant's review against another edition
4.0
This book is dark, uncomfortable, and brilliantly showcases the life of a young girl navigating the side effects of having a mentally unwell mother and a neglectful, borderline inappropriate father. The format was easily digestible, the characters were flushed out in an impossibly short amount of time. I highly recommend.
the_sunken_library's review
4.0
While reading this I had to remember that the protagonist was only a child. A little girl raised by a neglectful father and mentally unstable mother, who clearly passed on sociopathic/psychological issues to her daughter.
However, that recognition didn't make this tale any easier to read. Pearl is the quintessentially 'wicked child' who is cruel to both her friends and siblings. She is distant, and emotionless with an unhealthy, sexual obsession with her father, driving her main life goal of destroying and replacing her mother.
A beautifully written book with a very dark heart.
However, that recognition didn't make this tale any easier to read. Pearl is the quintessentially 'wicked child' who is cruel to both her friends and siblings. She is distant, and emotionless with an unhealthy, sexual obsession with her father, driving her main life goal of destroying and replacing her mother.
A beautifully written book with a very dark heart.
illiterad's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
check content warnings beforehand if you don't like being surprised by dark and intense subject matter
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
wondersoferin's review against another edition
4.0
"You're mad, Honey cries furiously. Don't I know it, Pearl answers, and walks away"
This book was mad. Dark and twisted and confronting. It shocked me and I couldn't put it down. I would have given it 5 stars if it weren't for the ending. I need closure. What a strange story this was.
This book was mad. Dark and twisted and confronting. It shocked me and I couldn't put it down. I would have given it 5 stars if it weren't for the ending. I need closure. What a strange story this was.