pikasqueaks's review against another edition
4.0
this book was pretty intense. the writing got a little awkward here and there, but i think there's a lot to be said about why it was written like that. i'm just not gonna say it. cool book.
southernmelancholy's review against another edition
3.0
Awkward. I often found myself lost at times. Was this happening currently or is this still a flashback?
caitirin's review against another edition
1.0
Well, this book goes down as one of the worst books that I have ever read. It was another of my Harper Collins First Look review books. Although the summary indicated that it was about a girl who is molested by her teacher when she's 14 it did NOT say that the book was almost completely porn.
It was horrifying. She's molested by this teacher and they start having an affair and the teacher is manipulative and sadistic. Her life spirals down into the gutter after. She sleeps with every man she meets. She's totally obsessed with the teacher, Mr. Carr. Her best friend does his best to help her but he ends up just sleeping with her as well as his own life gets dragged down the toilet with hers.
Then the teacher shows up again and she becomes his willing sex slave. The story ends when her friend kills himself and she stays with the psychotic teacher who sexually tortures her.
It was an awful book. If I hadn't been obligated to read it for the review I would have thrown the book away. It was unredeemable and the story only reinforced horrific themes. The teacher gets away with the entire thing and gets to keep her and keep abusing her. The 'good guy' kills himself and the main girl, Sarah, although she realizes that her life is a disaster, never does anything to try to help herself. She remains the helpless victim forever.
UGH. It was AWFUL. It made me uncomfortable to read and disgusted.
It was horrifying. She's molested by this teacher and they start having an affair and the teacher is manipulative and sadistic. Her life spirals down into the gutter after. She sleeps with every man she meets. She's totally obsessed with the teacher, Mr. Carr. Her best friend does his best to help her but he ends up just sleeping with her as well as his own life gets dragged down the toilet with hers.
Then the teacher shows up again and she becomes his willing sex slave. The story ends when her friend kills himself and she stays with the psychotic teacher who sexually tortures her.
It was an awful book. If I hadn't been obligated to read it for the review I would have thrown the book away. It was unredeemable and the story only reinforced horrific themes. The teacher gets away with the entire thing and gets to keep her and keep abusing her. The 'good guy' kills himself and the main girl, Sarah, although she realizes that her life is a disaster, never does anything to try to help herself. She remains the helpless victim forever.
UGH. It was AWFUL. It made me uncomfortable to read and disgusted.
vahala's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The book seems to be unable to decide whether it wants to delve into the psychoanalysis of a sexual assault victim, or whether it just wants to be shock porn. The vast majority of the sex scenes (and there's a never-ending stream of them) are often unnecessarily graphic. The abusive ones almost outrageously violent, to the point where suspending one's disbelief becomes a struggle simply because of the sheer degree of injury being inflicted.
All the supporting characters seem to be cardboard cutouts - mostly there to progress the plot in a "And then things got worse" way, without any substantial motivation. The lack of impulse control, and comically stereotypical 'sexless wife' characters appear as justifications for characters' actions so often that this book could almost be seen as trope-defining.
Add to it a rushed and disconnected ending, and the flaws start drowning the flashes of brilliance. It could have been so much better, but is stuck somewhere between fetishising shock & depression, and something with true meaning.
All the supporting characters seem to be cardboard cutouts - mostly there to progress the plot in a "And then things got worse" way, without any substantial motivation. The lack of impulse control, and comically stereotypical 'sexless wife' characters appear as justifications for characters' actions so often that this book could almost be seen as trope-defining.
Add to it a rushed and disconnected ending, and the flaws start drowning the flashes of brilliance. It could have been so much better, but is stuck somewhere between fetishising shock & depression, and something with true meaning.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Vomit, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Addiction and Abandonment
imm0rtals0ul's review against another edition
5.0
I'm stunned. This book was a rollercoaster of a emotions, and I felt every one so intensely I thought I was ready to break by the end. In some places, I even felt nauseated or ready to cry, but I powered through, because I saw much of myself in Sarah. It's easy to look at this as a disturbing fetishistic peace of fiction, but I felt connected to Sarah. She's a very accurate portrayal of an abuse victim.
Like most I enjoy reading, this book is not for the faint of heart, but I loved it all the same.
Like most I enjoy reading, this book is not for the faint of heart, but I loved it all the same.
alexpelican's review against another edition
3.0
this book has a lot of nuanced psychological aspects and development, some parts i really liked but i do think it eventually devolves into tropes. it’s hard to end a book with this subject matter though. it was kinda trying to be realistic while also exemplifying certain elements which i think could’ve been done better.
would not recommend this to normal people but i did enjoy it and also read it pretty much in one sitting if that counts for anything
would not recommend this to normal people but i did enjoy it and also read it pretty much in one sitting if that counts for anything
lancenichols's review
5.0
Utterly wrecking
The characters are brutal, painful, and broken in ways that drive jagged shards into each other, and the reader.
It’s a story of loss, extreme codependency, sickening extremes, and extremely hard to read. I am not sure I’ll ever re-read it, but I’m also sure it won’t quite ever leave.
The characters are brutal, painful, and broken in ways that drive jagged shards into each other, and the reader.
It’s a story of loss, extreme codependency, sickening extremes, and extremely hard to read. I am not sure I’ll ever re-read it, but I’m also sure it won’t quite ever leave.
marik0n's review against another edition
4.0
A friend of mine, suggested me to read this book years ago. From the first time I read it, til the most recent, I've got mixed feeling about it. The content is really controversial.
I cannot say if I like this book or not. That's the reason I'm constantly re reading it.
When I read it, I can't help but wonder; are there limits in art? Things you cannot talk about? Things you cannot depict?
One the other hand, this book always causes me a lot of thoughts. Isn't that what a good book does?
It has an easy pace, with everyday words that won't cause you any difficulties during reading.
I cannot say if I like this book or not. That's the reason I'm constantly re reading it.
When I read it, I can't help but wonder; are there limits in art? Things you cannot talk about? Things you cannot depict?
One the other hand, this book always causes me a lot of thoughts. Isn't that what a good book does?
It has an easy pace, with everyday words that won't cause you any difficulties during reading.
talonvictoria's review
3.0
I'm torn. Really, I am. Who was the Beast? Sarah? Daniel? I don't know. But I liked it. What kind of person does that make me? Let's stick with masochist.
It almost feels completely wrong to like this book. I feel like most people would not take pleasure in reading Taming the Beast...at all. The emotions it evokes is almost shocking. It was just a disturbing read. Depressing. Dark. I felt so lonely when I was reading it. My mouth hung open a lot.
If you want to read about a self destructive character then Sarah is your girl. She was unloveable, sad, lonely, and very hard to relate to in the sense that readers look for when reading a book. No connection what so ever because you're too busy being in a constant state of shock at the things that she keeps doing.
The book gives you a deep insight at the occurrences of self loathing in individuals and the full cycle of abuse. The terror of leaving it. The want for it. Which was pretty much spot on. The author depicted Sarah's need impeccably.
Three stars because the ending was a complete joke. It was a terrible way to end the book and it ruined everything for me. Everything.
All I know is, I liked it. I ain't even ashamed to admit it. Get a better ending and then we'll talk.
It almost feels completely wrong to like this book. I feel like most people would not take pleasure in reading Taming the Beast...at all. The emotions it evokes is almost shocking. It was just a disturbing read. Depressing. Dark. I felt so lonely when I was reading it. My mouth hung open a lot.
If you want to read about a self destructive character then Sarah is your girl. She was unloveable, sad, lonely, and very hard to relate to in the sense that readers look for when reading a book. No connection what so ever because you're too busy being in a constant state of shock at the things that she keeps doing.
The book gives you a deep insight at the occurrences of self loathing in individuals and the full cycle of abuse. The terror of leaving it. The want for it. Which was pretty much spot on. The author depicted Sarah's need impeccably.
Three stars because the ending was a complete joke. It was a terrible way to end the book and it ruined everything for me. Everything.
All I know is, I liked it. I ain't even ashamed to admit it. Get a better ending and then we'll talk.