Reviews

Pretend I'm Dead by Jen Beagin

orlaithma's review against another edition

4.0

Pretend I'm Dead by Jen Beagin is quite a dark, quirky read. It's essentially 4 short stories about Mona, a 24 year old house cleaner who also volunteers at a local needle exchange. Each story follows Mona over the course of about 3 years as she interacts with different people in her life.

I found the beginning of the book to be quite difficult to get into but as the book progressed I found myself rotating between laughing out loud and feeling quite down about what was happening. Each story was more enjoyable than the last, with the ending leaving me wanting more.

Thankfully a quick search has told me that there will be a sequel, Vacuum in the Dark, publishing next year!

Thank you to Oneworld Publishing for gifting me a copy of Pretend I'm Dead.

gettuffstaytuff's review against another edition

3.0

i really like beagin’s writing and i usually love an unlikeable woman on the brink as a protagonist but mona is… a lot, pretty racist in a way that kept yanking me out of enjoying this as much as i could have

parsleyperson's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

sydneythegoddess's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

molliebegolly's review against another edition

dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

topher_bb's review against another edition

dark inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

jillisonline's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

ehouse93's review against another edition

dark funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

ehomant's review against another edition

dark funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I’ve been chasing the magic of Big Swiss since I read it at the end of last year, and listening to this book made me think that maybe I’ve actually been chasing the magic of Jen Beagin!!! the way she writes complex, weird, funny, endearing freaks is just unmatched. Mona is obviously Very Fucked Up, and we learn about her trauma in bits and pieces as the story progresses, but she’s also extremely smart and witty. there were multiple times I laughed out loud while listening to the audiobook. I’ve already checked out the sequel from the lib and am excited to listen!!!

callie_1031's review against another edition

dark emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Drug abuse and Suicide