A review by rubywarhol
The Shelf by Helly Acton
3.0
It was a good book but it could've been better. The tone was very conversational with lots of dialogue. The characters were likable but not very fleshed out. The universe it is set in seems interesting and the author's ideas are new and unusual, but it basically reads like watching a reality show, with simple, flat language and one-dimensional emotions.
I liked the casual criticism of misogyny, including less obvious societal structures, to the point that I sometimes got so angry at the fictional TV team's ruthless and disrespectful attitudes that I had to stop reading. The women in this show are told how they're meant to pleasure their partners, comply to beauty standards, "make an effort" and look perfect 24/7 as if it's nothing, but make sure not to have any expectations for their partners because "men don't like pressure", be confident but not too confident, and never complain (but also don't expect him to know what's wrong). It was all a bit too real to be read without a lump in my throat. But I definitely agree with the criticism.
The anxiety / panic attack awareness scene was sweet as well, it was handled in a very calm and healthy way. I also liked how the author made a point of including women of different ages, race, and situations, with different lifestyles in mind, being good enough in their own way.
All in all it was good for a light summer read if you're prepared to occasionally throw the book on the floor and have a moderate fit of rage.
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Spoiler:
the majority of the characters is single at the end. The feminist in me loved it, the romantic in me hated it.
I liked the casual criticism of misogyny, including less obvious societal structures, to the point that I sometimes got so angry at the fictional TV team's ruthless and disrespectful attitudes that I had to stop reading. The women in this show are told how they're meant to pleasure their partners, comply to beauty standards, "make an effort" and look perfect 24/7 as if it's nothing, but make sure not to have any expectations for their partners because "men don't like pressure", be confident but not too confident, and never complain (but also don't expect him to know what's wrong). It was all a bit too real to be read without a lump in my throat. But I definitely agree with the criticism.
The anxiety / panic attack awareness scene was sweet as well, it was handled in a very calm and healthy way. I also liked how the author made a point of including women of different ages, race, and situations, with different lifestyles in mind, being good enough in their own way.
All in all it was good for a light summer read if you're prepared to occasionally throw the book on the floor and have a moderate fit of rage.
-----------------------------------------------
Spoiler:
the majority of the characters is single at the end. The feminist in me loved it, the romantic in me hated it.