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A review by inquisitrix
Such a Pretty Smile by Kristi DeMeester
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Such a Pretty Smile is such a spectacular novel. Kristi DeMeester pulls no punches in her virtuosic evisceration of the patriarchal structures that teach girls and women to hide our pain, fear, and emotions behind the veneer of biddable prettiness we're expected to maintain for the comfort and pleasure of boys and men--or else risk being diagnosed, dosed, and discarded. This is is not a comfortable or obedient book, and I expect many of its readers will know the rage it evokes all too well.
I would say that Such a Pretty Smile is not an easy read, except that DeMeester's prose is so gripping the pages simply evaporate. The pacing, dialogue, and timing of each crucial revelation constitute a bravura performance that showcases the potential of contemporary horror realized to its fullest extent. I read very few books that I can honestly say possess no flaws; this is one of the few. It does exactly what it sets out to do, and it does so in a truly unforgettable manner.
I'd recommend this book for every "good girl" in the world who has spent her life being angry on the inside while doing her best to appear calm and content on the outside for the sake of safety and getting by. DeMeester's storytelling reminds us that there's more to aspire to in life than being good, and that reminder is truly cathartic.
I received a free e-ARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my review.
I would say that Such a Pretty Smile is not an easy read, except that DeMeester's prose is so gripping the pages simply evaporate. The pacing, dialogue, and timing of each crucial revelation constitute a bravura performance that showcases the potential of contemporary horror realized to its fullest extent. I read very few books that I can honestly say possess no flaws; this is one of the few. It does exactly what it sets out to do, and it does so in a truly unforgettable manner.
I'd recommend this book for every "good girl" in the world who has spent her life being angry on the inside while doing her best to appear calm and content on the outside for the sake of safety and getting by. DeMeester's storytelling reminds us that there's more to aspire to in life than being good, and that reminder is truly cathartic.
I received a free e-ARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my review.