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A review by elj_ne
Only Ever Yours by Louise O'Neill
4.0
2022 review:
Damn this book is dark. It’s a very very bleak dystopia, and I think part of what enthralled me in 2015 was the relentless lack of options and hope. It’s very good on internalised misogyny, toxic masculinity and as a portrayal of a protagonist gradually losing her mind, and I think the plot and pacing make it a quick read. Since 2015 I’ve read a lot of Louise O’Neills other novels and they’ve definitely matured in terms of character and world building, writing and themes, which is really great to see. This definitely has a lack of subtlety that can be easily forgiven as a debut novel. I agree with my 2015 self that I wish we’d seen more of isabel, and I don’t think I’ll read it a third time but I’m glad I reread it.
2015 review (5 stars):
Holy shit. This book destroyed me - don't read it if you want anything happy, because this is not it. The society is depressing and so wrong (seriously who even came up with it as an idea?? It's ridiculous and awful), but a lot of things are painfully familiar, including eating disorders, the cruel way teenage girls can treat each other, and even the way in which the hatred of "feminine traits" affects men who dare to exhibit them. There was also a scene that will feel very, very familiar to anyone who has ever had an anxiety attack. Triggers everywhere, be warned, and a dose of cruel homophobia as well. I wish we'd had more from isabel to get a better hold on her character, but great book that I will probably never read again unless I want to cry a lot.
Damn this book is dark. It’s a very very bleak dystopia, and I think part of what enthralled me in 2015 was the relentless lack of options and hope. It’s very good on internalised misogyny, toxic masculinity and as a portrayal of a protagonist gradually losing her mind, and I think the plot and pacing make it a quick read. Since 2015 I’ve read a lot of Louise O’Neills other novels and they’ve definitely matured in terms of character and world building, writing and themes, which is really great to see. This definitely has a lack of subtlety that can be easily forgiven as a debut novel. I agree with my 2015 self that I wish we’d seen more of isabel, and I don’t think I’ll read it a third time but I’m glad I reread it.
2015 review (5 stars):
Holy shit. This book destroyed me - don't read it if you want anything happy, because this is not it. The society is depressing and so wrong (seriously who even came up with it as an idea?? It's ridiculous and awful), but a lot of things are painfully familiar, including eating disorders, the cruel way teenage girls can treat each other, and even the way in which the hatred of "feminine traits" affects men who dare to exhibit them. There was also a scene that will feel very, very familiar to anyone who has ever had an anxiety attack. Triggers everywhere, be warned, and a dose of cruel homophobia as well. I wish we'd had more from isabel to get a better hold on her character, but great book that I will probably never read again unless I want to cry a lot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, and Toxic friendship