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A review by atalanta_nins
Bunny by Mona Awad
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Okay, so first things first. So just like how I reviewed The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, I shall also review this book by its parts. Its in three parts. And because I have a memory of a freaking goldfish, I'll write everytime I think or feel something from reading this. Be warned, spoilers ahead:
Also, I do not know what kind of book this is only that I saw a synopsis that this is a combination of the Heathers movie meets Han Kang's The Vegetarian and sadly I am familiar with neither of them. Of course, that means that reading this might require a lot more focus and understanding, as I had no idea what this book is about or what is about to happen.
Part 1:
So, after reading the first three chapters of this, I still have no idea where this is going. Only that the Bunny title might pertain to the group of girls the protagonist hates in this book and then suddenly she is being invited in their inner circle. But like the protagonist, Samantha Heather Mackey loathes this group, because they look and sound obnoxiously condescending but I can't help but think that Sam's friend Ava is a bit contemptuously condescending to, particularly to this Bunny group. But like Sam has this inner struggle, like I can't help but think that she also want to fit in, like as much as she loathes this "Bunny" group, she also wants what they have, probably riches and comfort because it had also been heavily implied that Sam is struggling or is poor.
Also, it's been five chapters and I can't help but think that the protagonist uses a lot of animals to describe people? Kept thinking if there's a connection to the next chapters or will it be some sort of relevance in the further chapters. It might be because of the title itself.
I can't help but distrust the protagonist somehow. Is it really true, about the violence and rape and decapitations that she shares about her city? Or is it just to make this story better? Because the protagonist unintentionally admitted that she is in fact a pathological liar. Because lying makes her stories better.
But still, I can't help but empathize with the protagonist. I don't know why but sometimes she had this thoughts that she feels she isn't good enough and that's why she apologizes a lot, to mask herself. Also, if Ava really didn't care about Samantha hanging out with the Bunnies, why would she evade or ignore her for two weeks? Also, when Sam approached her, Ava acted apathetic and cold, but it felt like she insinuated the rabbit fur that she wears. Also, that annoyingly condescending tone Ava spoke to Sam, saying that she knows she's better than the bunnies (maybe true but still). I was hoping for a good female friendship, not infused with jealousy or envy to be honest.
Okay, so as I ended the last chapter on this part one, I felt like in a way, even I couldn't trust the protagonist fully. I kept thinking if what she saw is actually true or did she overdid her storytelling? Or maybe it is really true but because Samantha is already hinted as a liar that us, the readers, makes us distrust her? Is the storytelling bending towards that?
And also, I really like that it seems we're onto the horror part of this story. I mean the way that part one ended makes you questions what is happening even though we already had a glimpse of what's happening. But yeah, what is really happening? How is that happening? I mean how can they conjure that creature?
Part Two:
I think this part shows Samantha's descent into Bunnyness.
The first chapter of this is kinda chaotic mess because I think it was in Sam's perspective then I can't help but think it isn't because Sam addresses them the way the Bunnies addresses the people around them. And somehow, as Sam is slowly being integrated into the group, she's also been into their secrets, such as the Hybrids are all axed up. I genuinely thought they were and now I can't help but have this theory: is the Lion one of those Hybrids? I mean, it's bizarre how Eleanor/Duchess knew about Sam's writer's block. Also, it felt that she is the leader of the group, I think she is the one who recruited them all and manipulated them. Anyways, I'll probably comment on this as we read further.
Also, now I am very confused. Because everyone is addressed as Bunny, I do not know which of the bunny they are talking about or which bunny whatever it is.
I genuinely thought Ava would try her best to persuade Samantha of joining the Bunnies (I mean Ava was right on calling the bunnies a cult) but I felt saddened that she just left and said she'd be leaving the place. Also, apart from the brainwashing, I kept thinking how the bunnies was able to indoctrinated Sam. Was it something about the pills she was given or just the way they talk to her? Soothing and convincing?
And to the juicy part (I think?) where Samantha got to conjure her Hybrid but instead she failed. But did she really failed? I kept thinking that it wasn't a bunny that she transformed but the stag that she saw earlier on that chapter. Also, the guy that they think she conjured was shown again in the next chapters or so, I genuinely thinks he's Samantha's.
Also, I was a bit worried about Samantha as she was let go from the group. I meant atleast she was let go from that cult but she's alone as she Ava wasn't seen again, only for the very last chapter that Samantha was able to find her way to Ava's home.
Also, if the guy Samantha met on the bus stop is her "bunny", why does he seemed humane than the others? Was it perhaps, unlike the Bunnies, Samantha has a truthful heart. Like she actually know what love is. Though, truth be told, I actually thought that Samantha will end up in a romantic relationship with Ava, I dunno why, I just felt the chemistry between them.
Also, it's really easy to fall into madness when you're alone and poor. I still think that Samantha's upbringing also contributed but let's face it, being poor does bring a lot of problems. Having some money or more money would help, as long as you don't end up being materialistic and greedy about it.
Part Three:
I don't know but what the hell? Is Ava involved with the guy on the bus wearing a trench coat who's actual name is Max ? I genuinely thought it was Samantha's bunny. Oh well.
Also, as we are nearing the end, of course, there has to be a twist or something but so far, I still have no idea what it is. But my theories are still in the open, like the Lion might be a bunny. But now, I can't help but think, that what if Ursula/Fosco also is a Bunny, like one of the bunny girls? But so far those are just theories.
Okay but like as I read further, Samantha is convinced that Max is her bunny but like is it really? Also because of that cryptic message from the Bunnies? I also now felt confused reading.
Okay, so now I am really convinced that Max is really Sam's bunny which is kindly unsettling because he's having sex with Sam's friend Ava and maybe, just maybe, he's also screwing with the other bunnies. But I feel kinda terrified for Sam and Ava because I think there's something terrifyingly sinister with the bunny Max as he felt somewhat stalkerish? Couldn't really put my finger around it though.
Also, I have to agree with Ursula/Fosco on her takes of the Workshop. That the girls (so far, except Samantha) had let themselves be saved/destroyed by a boy and not just boys but a single boy in seems which actually brought the worst of them and their downfall. Though I like that they are somewhat disbanded, something about female's monstrosity when a man is involved doesn't sit right with me. I know it might be the narrative, how boys are such manipulators, I just didn't like the idea that the women were easily manipulated and broke their friendship over a boy (though, I think, it was easy to break as even Sam could feel that as much love they try to share with each other, there was somekind of a silent hate they also shared with one another).
Okay, so I didn't expect that the biggest twist was that Ava was also one of Sam's creations? But there were subtle hints and when Sam realized it, that was the time I also realized it too. The different eyes, the mesh gloves, and that we know little of Ava's past. That was such an awesome plotwist but like I am not too happy about it because I really love Ava and Sam's friendship. And the second to the last chapter, I also kept chanting that Sam should behead those girls or that her creation, Max, should do it. But like I like how they came to that conclusion. This book just shows how much ugliness some female friendships are, especially when they revolved around boys. Also, it's nice that it ended in a hopeful tone, that Sam is slowly back to reality, interacting with real people, and not those girl bunnies.
Also, I do not know what kind of book this is only that I saw a synopsis that this is a combination of the Heathers movie meets Han Kang's The Vegetarian and sadly I am familiar with neither of them. Of course, that means that reading this might require a lot more focus and understanding, as I had no idea what this book is about or what is about to happen.
Part 1:
So, after reading the first three chapters of this, I still have no idea where this is going. Only that the Bunny title might pertain to the group of girls the protagonist hates in this book and then suddenly she is being invited in their inner circle. But like the protagonist, Samantha Heather Mackey loathes this group, because they look and sound obnoxiously condescending but I can't help but think that Sam's friend Ava is a bit contemptuously condescending to, particularly to this Bunny group. But like Sam has this inner struggle, like I can't help but think that she also want to fit in, like as much as she loathes this "Bunny" group, she also wants what they have, probably riches and comfort because it had also been heavily implied that Sam is struggling or is poor.
Also, it's been five chapters and I can't help but think that the protagonist uses a lot of animals to describe people? Kept thinking if there's a connection to the next chapters or will it be some sort of relevance in the further chapters. It might be because of the title itself.
I can't help but distrust the protagonist somehow. Is it really true, about the violence and rape and decapitations that she shares about her city? Or is it just to make this story better? Because the protagonist unintentionally admitted that she is in fact a pathological liar. Because lying makes her stories better.
But still, I can't help but empathize with the protagonist. I don't know why but sometimes she had this thoughts that she feels she isn't good enough and that's why she apologizes a lot, to mask herself. Also, if Ava really didn't care about Samantha hanging out with the Bunnies, why would she evade or ignore her for two weeks? Also, when Sam approached her, Ava acted apathetic and cold, but it felt like she insinuated the rabbit fur that she wears. Also, that annoyingly condescending tone Ava spoke to Sam, saying that she knows she's better than the bunnies (maybe true but still). I was hoping for a good female friendship, not infused with jealousy or envy to be honest.
Okay, so as I ended the last chapter on this part one, I felt like in a way, even I couldn't trust the protagonist fully. I kept thinking if what she saw is actually true or did she overdid her storytelling? Or maybe it is really true but because Samantha is already hinted as a liar that us, the readers, makes us distrust her? Is the storytelling bending towards that?
And also, I really like that it seems we're onto the horror part of this story. I mean the way that part one ended makes you questions what is happening even though we already had a glimpse of what's happening. But yeah, what is really happening? How is that happening? I mean how can they conjure that creature?
Part Two:
I think this part shows Samantha's descent into Bunnyness.
The first chapter of this is kinda chaotic mess because I think it was in Sam's perspective then I can't help but think it isn't because Sam addresses them the way the Bunnies addresses the people around them. And somehow, as Sam is slowly being integrated into the group, she's also been into their secrets, such as the Hybrids are all axed up. I genuinely thought they were and now I can't help but have this theory: is the Lion one of those Hybrids? I mean, it's bizarre how Eleanor/Duchess knew about Sam's writer's block. Also, it felt that she is the leader of the group, I think she is the one who recruited them all and manipulated them. Anyways, I'll probably comment on this as we read further.
Also, now I am very confused. Because everyone is addressed as Bunny, I do not know which of the bunny they are talking about or which bunny whatever it is.
I genuinely thought Ava would try her best to persuade Samantha of joining the Bunnies (I mean Ava was right on calling the bunnies a cult) but I felt saddened that she just left and said she'd be leaving the place. Also, apart from the brainwashing, I kept thinking how the bunnies was able to indoctrinated Sam. Was it something about the pills she was given or just the way they talk to her? Soothing and convincing?
And to the juicy part (I think?) where Samantha got to conjure her Hybrid but instead she failed. But did she really failed? I kept thinking that it wasn't a bunny that she transformed but the stag that she saw earlier on that chapter. Also, the guy that they think she conjured was shown again in the next chapters or so, I genuinely thinks he's Samantha's.
Also, I was a bit worried about Samantha as she was let go from the group. I meant atleast she was let go from that cult but she's alone as she Ava wasn't seen again, only for the very last chapter that Samantha was able to find her way to Ava's home.
Also, if the guy Samantha met on the bus stop is her "bunny", why does he seemed humane than the others? Was it perhaps, unlike the Bunnies, Samantha has a truthful heart. Like she actually know what love is. Though, truth be told, I actually thought that Samantha will end up in a romantic relationship with Ava, I dunno why, I just felt the chemistry between them.
Also, it's really easy to fall into madness when you're alone and poor. I still think that Samantha's upbringing also contributed but let's face it, being poor does bring a lot of problems. Having some money or more money would help, as long as you don't end up being materialistic and greedy about it.
Part Three:
I don't know but what the hell? Is Ava involved with the guy on the bus wearing a trench coat who's actual name is Max ? I genuinely thought it was Samantha's bunny. Oh well.
Also, as we are nearing the end, of course, there has to be a twist or something but so far, I still have no idea what it is. But my theories are still in the open, like the Lion might be a bunny. But now, I can't help but think, that what if Ursula/Fosco also is a Bunny, like one of the bunny girls? But so far those are just theories.
Okay but like as I read further, Samantha is convinced that Max is her bunny but like is it really? Also because of that cryptic message from the Bunnies? I also now felt confused reading.
Okay, so now I am really convinced that Max is really Sam's bunny which is kindly unsettling because he's having sex with Sam's friend Ava and maybe, just maybe, he's also screwing with the other bunnies. But I feel kinda terrified for Sam and Ava because I think there's something terrifyingly sinister with the bunny Max as he felt somewhat stalkerish? Couldn't really put my finger around it though.
Also, I have to agree with Ursula/Fosco on her takes of the Workshop. That the girls (so far, except Samantha) had let themselves be saved/destroyed by a boy and not just boys but a single boy in seems which actually brought the worst of them and their downfall. Though I like that they are somewhat disbanded, something about female's monstrosity when a man is involved doesn't sit right with me. I know it might be the narrative, how boys are such manipulators, I just didn't like the idea that the women were easily manipulated and broke their friendship over a boy (though, I think, it was easy to break as even Sam could feel that as much love they try to share with each other, there was somekind of a silent hate they also shared with one another).
Okay, so I didn't expect that the biggest twist was that Ava was also one of Sam's creations? But there were subtle hints and when Sam realized it, that was the time I also realized it too. The different eyes, the mesh gloves, and that we know little of Ava's past. That was such an awesome plotwist but like I am not too happy about it because I really love Ava and Sam's friendship. And the second to the last chapter, I also kept chanting that Sam should behead those girls or that her creation, Max, should do it. But like I like how they came to that conclusion. This book just shows how much ugliness some female friendships are, especially when they revolved around boys. Also, it's nice that it ended in a hopeful tone, that Sam is slowly back to reality, interacting with real people, and not those girl bunnies.