A review by starryybella
Chameleon in a Candy Store by Anonymous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Again, I liked "Diary of an Oxygen Thief". Not a ton, but a lot.
To read things from the abuser's perspective was interesting. To have read books from the victims my whole life, and then to get this unapologetic abuser explaining what he did and how he enjoyed it… It was an experience, to say the least of it. Speaking from a victim of abuse as well, it didn't trigger me at all but not everyone's the same. I've been so desensitized to trauma that it doesn't faze me to read about it.
Bottom line of that book, as far as you need to know, is the old cliche: Hurt people hurt people. It's absolutely true. Every time I've hurt people, it's when I'm hurting about something else in any situation. I can't think of a time I've ever hurt anyone without my own pain being the underlying reason why I hurt someone. You don't need to read the book to know that, of course, but from my experience, the book also gave me more perspective and added more nuance to that statement.
I think, in terms of judging "Chameleon in a Candy Store", I liked it more than its predecessor. And that's a pretty bold statement.
It felt more like a one-by-one account of his dates and his life, more like itemizing each woman that comes across in his life after the events of "Diary of an Oxygen Thief".
I also appreciated the more-structured plot line this book had, rather than the unwarranted tangents and the sudden flashbacks the other book had in the middle of the central plot. Because he itemized each hookup and experience he had, it made the book easier to follow and it was just more pleasant and less stomach-churning. There was no part in this I had to read twice to fully understand.
The content was slightly toned down from the last book as well, which made it much easier to process. When you're constantly getting thrown really difficult topics or taboo topics, as an empath, it's hard to read without empathizing or really feeling for that person, no matter how awful they may be. Although, I will say, there are a lot of sex scenes that are pretty explicit… And I mean a lot.
"Diary of an Oxygen Thief", probably for the right reasons, also got categorized as erotic literature because of its depictions. Wouldn't be surprised if this is taken as erotic literature moreso than a memoir.
Viewer (or reader) discretion is advised. I know most of my audience is minors - which is why I'd tell you to hold off on reading this book. I like writing about it just to pique your interest and if your parents are cool with you reading the book AND you're mature enough to handle it, I'd say go ahead. Otherwise, for the rest of you, hold off a little longer. It's for your own good.
It's funny how it takes the first page to really know whether I'm hooked on the book immediately or not. Because this book, signature to his last book, starts off rather boldly with a shocking first line that grabs you and pretty much tells you what the rest of the book is about.
"I knew if I wanted to have sex with a girl within the first three seconds of meeting her. After that, it was just a matter of how much I was willing to put up with to make it happen. This period of putting up with their bullshit is what women called charm." (1)
The narrator/author, using his experience in advertising for online dating. At first, it's to fuel his sex addiction and to come across women to use for his own pleasure. However, later in the book, he turns to the same platform to sell his book, "Diary of an Oxygen Thief".
What never fails to stun me about the author is his cleverness and how sly he is about things. I consider myself sometimes witty or a smartass, sure, but the things this guy thinks of are crazy. It pretty much tells the story up to his current life right now, living in the East Village of New York City as a writer now. This book left me feeling not as upset as the last one did, for all the reasons I talked about earlier and its resolution.
My favorite parts of it though weren't really the story, but the cuts over to his ideas for commercials in the most random moments. Those always got a good chuckle and they were annotated in my book because I liked coming back to those and just reading them when I need a pick-me-up and I have the book in my room when I'm about to hit it for the night.
My stomach didn't churn that much in this book. I could eat and still not feel nauseous, you know? In fact, there were a few lines in there where I laughed or chuckled, so much so that the other patients in my treatment leaned over to look at what was so funny to me. I typically don't react much as a reader, but this book had more humorous parts. Or maybe, I learned the author's humor and appreciated it much more.
I'd only recommend this book if you've read "Diary of an Oxygen Thief" before. Otherwise, go read that first and if you can stand to read the sequel, which I do recommend, go ahead and read this book.
To read things from the abuser's perspective was interesting. To have read books from the victims my whole life, and then to get this unapologetic abuser explaining what he did and how he enjoyed it… It was an experience, to say the least of it. Speaking from a victim of abuse as well, it didn't trigger me at all but not everyone's the same. I've been so desensitized to trauma that it doesn't faze me to read about it.
Bottom line of that book, as far as you need to know, is the old cliche: Hurt people hurt people. It's absolutely true. Every time I've hurt people, it's when I'm hurting about something else in any situation. I can't think of a time I've ever hurt anyone without my own pain being the underlying reason why I hurt someone. You don't need to read the book to know that, of course, but from my experience, the book also gave me more perspective and added more nuance to that statement.
I think, in terms of judging "Chameleon in a Candy Store", I liked it more than its predecessor. And that's a pretty bold statement.
It felt more like a one-by-one account of his dates and his life, more like itemizing each woman that comes across in his life after the events of "Diary of an Oxygen Thief".
I also appreciated the more-structured plot line this book had, rather than the unwarranted tangents and the sudden flashbacks the other book had in the middle of the central plot. Because he itemized each hookup and experience he had, it made the book easier to follow and it was just more pleasant and less stomach-churning. There was no part in this I had to read twice to fully understand.
The content was slightly toned down from the last book as well, which made it much easier to process. When you're constantly getting thrown really difficult topics or taboo topics, as an empath, it's hard to read without empathizing or really feeling for that person, no matter how awful they may be. Although, I will say, there are a lot of sex scenes that are pretty explicit… And I mean a lot.
"Diary of an Oxygen Thief", probably for the right reasons, also got categorized as erotic literature because of its depictions. Wouldn't be surprised if this is taken as erotic literature moreso than a memoir.
Viewer (or reader) discretion is advised. I know most of my audience is minors - which is why I'd tell you to hold off on reading this book. I like writing about it just to pique your interest and if your parents are cool with you reading the book AND you're mature enough to handle it, I'd say go ahead. Otherwise, for the rest of you, hold off a little longer. It's for your own good.
It's funny how it takes the first page to really know whether I'm hooked on the book immediately or not. Because this book, signature to his last book, starts off rather boldly with a shocking first line that grabs you and pretty much tells you what the rest of the book is about.
"I knew if I wanted to have sex with a girl within the first three seconds of meeting her. After that, it was just a matter of how much I was willing to put up with to make it happen. This period of putting up with their bullshit is what women called charm." (1)
The narrator/author, using his experience in advertising for online dating. At first, it's to fuel his sex addiction and to come across women to use for his own pleasure. However, later in the book, he turns to the same platform to sell his book, "Diary of an Oxygen Thief".
What never fails to stun me about the author is his cleverness and how sly he is about things. I consider myself sometimes witty or a smartass, sure, but the things this guy thinks of are crazy. It pretty much tells the story up to his current life right now, living in the East Village of New York City as a writer now. This book left me feeling not as upset as the last one did, for all the reasons I talked about earlier and its resolution.
My favorite parts of it though weren't really the story, but the cuts over to his ideas for commercials in the most random moments. Those always got a good chuckle and they were annotated in my book because I liked coming back to those and just reading them when I need a pick-me-up and I have the book in my room when I'm about to hit it for the night.
My stomach didn't churn that much in this book. I could eat and still not feel nauseous, you know? In fact, there were a few lines in there where I laughed or chuckled, so much so that the other patients in my treatment leaned over to look at what was so funny to me. I typically don't react much as a reader, but this book had more humorous parts. Or maybe, I learned the author's humor and appreciated it much more.
I'd only recommend this book if you've read "Diary of an Oxygen Thief" before. Otherwise, go read that first and if you can stand to read the sequel, which I do recommend, go ahead and read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Racial slurs, Ableism, Toxic friendship, Sexual violence, Sexism, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Cursing, and Body shaming
Moderate: Pedophilia
Minor: Alcohol and Alcoholism