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A review by applesodaperson
The Pisces by Melissa Broder
dark
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
2.5
Overall, I did somewhat enjoy this book, but it is by no means a pinnacle of literature. It was entertaining on a basic level, but didn't have any more depth than that.
This book definitely has one of the most dysfunctional and unhinged main characters I have ever read about. She is an absolute mess, and literally pees her pants in public at one point. But I do think she goes from being just dysfunctional to straight up harmful and evil and selfish at times. Like I am seriously the biggest Lucy hater. And I think it is a very fine line within this subgenre, but it really does matter, and makes the difference of whether the reader is going to root for her or not. And I did not root for her when she physically punched her ex unprompted, or literally gave her sister's dog so many tranquilizers thatit died, and for entirely selfish reasons (which I totally called was going to happen). And yes she is relatable sometimes, but she is so terrible that I could not bring myself to root or care about her love life, or just life in general.
I also think that the sex scenes in this book were written in such a cringy way, which were not sexy or enjoyable to listen to at all.
I actually did like the magical realism elements with Theo the merman, and how that becomes a vessel for self discovery and character growth.
But my biggest problem with this book was the age of the main character. I actually really enjoy middle-aged female protagonists, but I absolutely do not think that the author successfully pulled it off. Basically nothing about the main character feels believably 38 years old, besides her mentioning that she has some gray hair. This book is written for women readers in their 20s, and Lucy is written like a woman in her 20s. Another thing that heavily affected this was the audiobook narrator, which was Melissa Broder, the author. I know she is in her 40s, but her voice sounds like she is way younger than that. And it makes Lucy feels young. There is also a side character, who I think is supposed to be British, but holy cow Broder has the worst British accent I have ever heard in my life.
Overall, this is a mildly entertaining book, but not a must read.
Listened to on Libby.
This book definitely has one of the most dysfunctional and unhinged main characters I have ever read about. She is an absolute mess, and literally pees her pants in public at one point. But I do think she goes from being just dysfunctional to straight up harmful and evil and selfish at times. Like I am seriously the biggest Lucy hater. And I think it is a very fine line within this subgenre, but it really does matter, and makes the difference of whether the reader is going to root for her or not. And I did not root for her when she physically punched her ex unprompted, or literally gave her sister's dog so many tranquilizers that
I also think that the sex scenes in this book were written in such a cringy way, which were not sexy or enjoyable to listen to at all.
I actually did like the magical realism elements with Theo the merman, and how that becomes a vessel for self discovery and character growth.
But my biggest problem with this book was the age of the main character. I actually really enjoy middle-aged female protagonists, but I absolutely do not think that the author successfully pulled it off. Basically nothing about the main character feels believably 38 years old, besides her mentioning that she has some gray hair. This book is written for women readers in their 20s, and Lucy is written like a woman in her 20s. Another thing that heavily affected this was the audiobook narrator, which was Melissa Broder, the author. I know she is in her 40s, but her voice sounds like she is way younger than that. And it makes Lucy feels young. There is also a side character, who I think is supposed to be British, but holy cow Broder has the worst British accent I have ever heard in my life.
Overall, this is a mildly entertaining book, but not a must read.
Listened to on Libby.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content