Reviews

A wie B und C by Alexandra Kleeman

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jaclyncrupi's review against another edition

4.0

There have been some wonderfully satirical books from American writers this year and this is another great one. Kleeman explores consumerism and consumption in an exciting and fresh way. To be honest I'm surprised this book was published and it gives me renewed faith in the American publishing industry. It's so unlike anything else and so strange and wonderful. The descriptions of TV ads is glorious.

lizardinthewires's review against another edition

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dark funny reflective

4.5

alle_kat97's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective medium-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

2.5

lisakzuhlke's review against another edition

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I would have LOVED this as a 20 year-old college student. Now, not so much. I get the appeal, but I have zero patience for it when I’m almost 40. I knew better when I picked it up that this wouldn’t go well for me, but it was a recommendation from someone I have similar tastes with.

blueinkandpaperstars's review against another edition

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DNF

rachelnevada's review against another edition

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You Too Can Have a Body Like Mine is a fever dream of a horror novel that starts with our main character (A) having (a maybe stereotypical) phobia of a roommate assuming her identity. A has trouble with both boundaries and asserting herself and so is a bit of a passive main character, allowing her roommate (B) to demand things of her that she is uncomfortable with but capitulates to anyhow. Her boyfriend (C) seems uninterested in her interior thoughts and she is content with that. However, the novel is also interlaced with a mysterious Cult of the Conjoined Eater, a bombardment of advertising, and a bizarre grocery store called Wally's. It is the kind of book you read and then think "What the fuck did I just read?"

I'm eager to engage with others interpretations and reactions to this novel.

While I don't think you can say that this book is about just one fear/anxiety, it does feel like it's a commentary on using both consumerism and 'clean eating' or orthorexia or other eating disorders to cope with the lack of meaning in your life instead of dealing with your own issues (or setting boundaries!!!).

Weird, trippy, and I have thoughts!!

lucyrosemack's review against another edition

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too much discussion of eating disorder stuff in a way that was not fun to read, including calorie counting and explicit under eating within the first half hour of the book.

Content Warnings