greyreads's review
funny
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
itschelseaw's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I wanted this to be more. Based on the book flap it sounded like this would be a bit more… sinister? than it actually was. The commodification of wellness and spirituality is definitely worth skewering, but this book half heartedly did it at best.
Jane was a bit of an antihero, enough to be both relatable and unlikeable because she voices a lot of people’s deepest criticisms of themselves and our modern world.
Cass felt a little too perfect, obviously, so it would have been interesting if we got more insight into her. The collages she made, the fortuitous job at the rehab center when Tom was there, etc. so many coincidences that it felt at times planned out.
Jane was a bit of an antihero, enough to be both relatable and unlikeable because she voices a lot of people’s deepest criticisms of themselves and our modern world.
Cass felt a little too perfect, obviously, so it would have been interesting if we got more insight into her. The collages she made, the fortuitous job at the rehab center when Tom was there, etc. so many coincidences that it felt at times planned out.
charlotte_'s review
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
2.75
madimacb's review
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- 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
che_guevara's review
reflective
sad
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
3.75
mellyreadsbooks's review
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
andreamargarita's review
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
It’s a ride for sure
brattyreads's review
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
3.5
camille_catterpillar's review
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
I wanted more from this book than what I got. Thematically, it is excellent: another subversive take at the beauty industry and at millennial ennui, but well executed. Some may tire of those themes but I certainly don't haha! The protagonist, Jane, is deliciously execrable, but also somewhat endearingly pathetic - which is one of my favourite types of characters (yes, I loved Succession).
I found the book lost its way halfway through, however, and meandered to a hazy conclusion, failing to distinguish itself from other recent books tackling the same themes.
I found the book lost its way halfway through, however, and meandered to a hazy conclusion, failing to distinguish itself from other recent books tackling the same themes.