bookishpip's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Drug use, and Drug abuse
rachelsherouse's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
txsweetheart's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
lara1505's review against another edition
3.0
Intriguing premise, boring execution.
Hoping the TV show is better.
It feels like there was potential for a good commentary on society, but it never actually happens. It felt like reading a very dry recount of events that are supposed to be intertwined but they don't seem like they are. The 3 narrative POVs blend together and rarely give you any real insight into the characters' minds. It all feels really pulled back so it kind of defeats the purpose of varying POVs. The ending didn't feel like anything other than trying to shock the reader. The whole book is centered around sexual assault and we're supposed to feel what exactly when the men get in 'trouble" for a male-victim crime? Is that supposed to be the conclusion? Doubt that it was intentional. Let's just say that I wasn't surprised when I read the author was a journalist - the facts were all there but it lacked soul.
Hoping the TV show is better.
It feels like there was potential for a good commentary on society, but it never actually happens. It felt like reading a very dry recount of events that are supposed to be intertwined but they don't seem like they are. The 3 narrative POVs blend together and rarely give you any real insight into the characters' minds. It all feels really pulled back so it kind of defeats the purpose of varying POVs. The ending didn't feel like anything other than trying to shock the reader. The whole book is centered around sexual assault and we're supposed to feel what exactly when the men get in 'trouble" for a male-victim crime? Is that supposed to be the conclusion? Doubt that it was intentional. Let's just say that I wasn't surprised when I read the author was a journalist - the facts were all there but it lacked soul.
cat_king's review
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
A silly book, unfortunately, on a very serious subject. I would say that the plot turns on a preposterous gimmick, but it doesn't -- the gimmick is there all right, but its impact on the plot is negligible.
readwithdes's review against another edition
3.0
“Men can make fools of us all.”
I received this book as part of a Sarah Vaughan trilogy from a giveaway done by Atria Books so thank you!
Anatomy of a Scandal is a book about a high profile politician who is standing on trial due to an allegation of rape. His wife wants to believe he is innocent, but his prosecutor, who is taking this case personally, is adamant about destroying him.
This was my first time reading a courtroom drama and I enjoyed it. It did start out a little slow, and I think some scenes were drawn out longer than they needed to be, but it was very descriptive so I could really picture what was happening. The flashbacks were done really well, and I was surprised to see how the characters were connected to each other.
This book really put white male privilege on display because James and his friends deem themselves “invincible,” and we learn that they have gotten away with much worse with no consequences. There were several times when I wanted to throw my book across the room because I was so mad.
This book kind of put me in a reading slump so it took me way longer to finish that it should have, but overall all it was a pretty good courtroom drama. I would most definitely suggest checking the TW before reading!
I received this book as part of a Sarah Vaughan trilogy from a giveaway done by Atria Books so thank you!
Anatomy of a Scandal is a book about a high profile politician who is standing on trial due to an allegation of rape. His wife wants to believe he is innocent, but his prosecutor, who is taking this case personally, is adamant about destroying him.
This was my first time reading a courtroom drama and I enjoyed it. It did start out a little slow, and I think some scenes were drawn out longer than they needed to be, but it was very descriptive so I could really picture what was happening. The flashbacks were done really well, and I was surprised to see how the characters were connected to each other.
This book really put white male privilege on display because James and his friends deem themselves “invincible,” and we learn that they have gotten away with much worse with no consequences. There were several times when I wanted to throw my book across the room because I was so mad.
This book kind of put me in a reading slump so it took me way longer to finish that it should have, but overall all it was a pretty good courtroom drama. I would most definitely suggest checking the TW before reading!
rosiegracee's review
3.0
Left slightly disappointed. It took me ages to get into the story as it was a lot of back and forth between different people, time, and places. The twist mid-way through brought me back and I eagerly read through the court room scenes waiting for the result, but once that was over it lost me again. Lost of description and not a lot interaction between characters.
ksukainahusain's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Minor: Drug abuse