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A review by aoib
This Is Pleasure by Mary Gaitskill
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book isn't my cup of tea.
The writing is wonderful, so it is clear how talented the author is. However, the theme of the story is… really an acquired taste. I generally try to remain open to characters with different views than mine and controversial subjects, especially when they are handled with such good writing and pacing, but at times this book felt just like a rant from a conservative politician or a Twitter incel.
The characters are completely terrible people, with troubling opinions about public conduct and what constitutes harassment. That some of this opinion comes from a woman is even more worrying.
There is a moment in which the main female character compares women to horses and another in which Quin - the definition of a nice man in a main character -, faced with a sexual harassment lawsuit, defines his conduct as an expression of the 'values of freedom and honesty about politeness'. This is just laughable.
'This is pleasure' is the first book I've read by the author, so I really can't say if it's her own opinion or if it's a situation similar to Lolita, in which we have to question the characters and what they represent.
Well, I reiterate what I mentioned above: this story isn't my cup of tea, but it's still a well-written book.
The writing is wonderful, so it is clear how talented the author is. However, the theme of the story is… really an acquired taste. I generally try to remain open to characters with different views than mine and controversial subjects, especially when they are handled with such good writing and pacing, but at times this book felt just like a rant from a conservative politician or a Twitter incel.
The characters are completely terrible people, with troubling opinions about public conduct and what constitutes harassment. That some of this opinion comes from a woman is even more worrying.
There is a moment in which the main female character compares women to horses and another in which Quin - the definition of a nice man in a main character -, faced with a sexual harassment lawsuit, defines his conduct as an expression of the 'values of freedom and honesty about politeness'. This is just laughable.
'This is pleasure' is the first book I've read by the author, so I really can't say if it's her own opinion or if it's a situation similar to Lolita, in which we have to question the characters and what they represent.
Well, I reiterate what I mentioned above: this story isn't my cup of tea, but it's still a well-written book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Child abuse