sonia_reppe's review against another edition
4.0
The protagonist, a grad student in creative writing, is unlikeable and makes bad decisions and is mean and selfish. Her problems stem from having neglectful parents, so I felt I couldn't judge her too much. She goes through several lovers who are losers in their unique ways. I felt sorry for Aaron though, I thought he was likeable.
She shacks up with different guys in these small, cramped apartments and it never ends well. I would have liked for her to shape up and turn her life around. It just kept getting worse. She gets an abortion and tells Aaron she hates him when she finds out he was to indifferent to vote in the 2016 election. So yeah, not likeable, but I liked all the sexy parts. I like books where everything goes wrong for the protagonist, hence 4 stars. I never like a protagonist who cuts herself. There was a lot of self-loathing in here.
She shacks up with different guys in these small, cramped apartments and it never ends well. I would have liked for her to shape up and turn her life around. It just kept getting worse. She gets an abortion and tells Aaron she hates him when she finds out he was to indifferent to vote in the 2016 election. So yeah, not likeable, but I liked all the sexy parts. I like books where everything goes wrong for the protagonist, hence 4 stars. I never like a protagonist who cuts herself. There was a lot of self-loathing in here.
mallegar's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-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
3.25
readers_block's review against another edition
2.0
2.5/5
i read another review calling this book and it’s characters irritating. and id be hard pressed to sum it up better. the characters are all beyond irritating, with not a shred of redemption among them. thank god it was short lest i have to read more about these tortured artists making life harder for themselves by being giant assholes.
i read another review calling this book and it’s characters irritating. and id be hard pressed to sum it up better. the characters are all beyond irritating, with not a shred of redemption among them. thank god it was short lest i have to read more about these tortured artists making life harder for themselves by being giant assholes.
abbymapes's review against another edition
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Addiction, Misogyny, and Abortion
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Eating disorder, and Animal death
bundy23's review against another edition
2.0
Well written and believable but, man, were these people vile. Spoiled, selfish, narcissistic millennials seem to compete to be the biggest fuckwit. If you want to believe that there's any hope for humanity then don't read this.
donnatartlet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
i would've really enjoyed this except for the moments it felt tonally confused and at times overwrought. the mentions of the 2016 US election was weak & cloying. also jarring to see the murders of michael brown & eric garner invoked by the narrator halfway through the book - it felt disrespectful & distasteful in a way i can't quite articulate.
everyotherpageorso's review
The critique of Nina’s work in Chapter 3 is a fairly apt description of this book.
thereadhersrecap's review against another edition
3.0
This book was weirdly interesting to me, the main character Nina made A LOT of questionable life decisions and has the worst relationship problems I’ve ever read
critliblou's review against another edition
4.0
I zipped through this darkly humorous look at love, family, and connection. Nina, a detached and selfish serial lover moves quickly from place to place, person to person. The book features a multitude of unlikable but realistic characters from Nina's eccentric and needy mother to her philosophically critical boyfriend Seth (who is an enjoyable caricature of the 'conceptual artist'). I found the plot to be far less interesting than the harsh dialogue between characters such as when Seth tells Nina "I hope you know that the time I give you is not time I already have." Nina's egomaniacal introspection is refreshing --though sometimes debased-- as she continuously recognizes how she uses the idea of falling in love with other people as a way to fall in love with herself. What I enjoyed most was Gerard's poignant language and use of brevity. An interesting read if you're looking to get better acquainted with 21st century self-destruction.
If you liked this book I recommend Exquisite Mariposa by Fiona Alison Duncan.
If you liked this book I recommend Exquisite Mariposa by Fiona Alison Duncan.