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phantomgecko's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Think of the whiniest, most foul-mouthed little incel you can, and that's this dude. Note how many times he refers to women as objects. How many times he reduces Beck to her sexual availability or genitals. How many times he misinterprets media to justify his actions. Also, lol at how judgmental he is about books. I think this is a more fun variation than being super judgmental about music or comics or video games.
Joe is seven layers of delusional, from thinking Beck is obsessed with him to awaiting the collapse of the internet so he can lord it over with his typewriters to thinking he ever helped anyone. However, some of what I thought he was making up at the beginning turned out to be close to the truth. Like how he says that Beck loves attention and is an exhibitionist. Still, I'd categorize him as an unreliable narrator.
Beck isn't a great person either. She has real issues and a way annoying personality. Joe's observation that she wants to be a writer more than she wants to write is spot on. Nevertheless, a victim is a victim whether or not they are "innocent" or you personally dislike them.
One of the book club questions at the end asked something along the lines of, "did you find yourself wishing Joe would be punished for his crimes or did you want him to get away with it?" And like... ?????????? If you found yourself sympathetic to Joe's self-imposed, imaginary, selfish plight, maybe you need help too?
I honestly cannot adequately express how despicable the main character is. I understand that that is the point. I feel dirty for reading this book, tbh, and I'm not continuing the series. Joe is too accurately written, and that's too depressing for me.
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Stalking, Car accident, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Classism
coco78337's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Stalking, Car accident, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
theyannibannireads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This is one of those times I like the book but dislike everyone in it. Think most of the like comes from the authors writing, its good. It feels like reading a diary. So maybe that's why it's good, its a easy read even better if your listening to the audiobook, which I did.
All in all I liked it but just to clarify this is not a romance book its a horror book everything that happened to the women in this book is tragic. Joe should be in prison.
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
victaphone's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Fatphobia and Homophobia
talyahonor23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
lord_morpheus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Fatphobia, Racial slurs, and Racism
emory's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, and Sexual harassment
daneyyy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Suicide and Suicide attempt
ashybear02's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Stalking, Murder, and Sexual harassment
oceanvuongist's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Misogyny, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Addiction, Death, Homophobia, Car accident, and Sexual harassment