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A review by the_library_of_mary
How to Be Eaten by Maria Adelmann
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was so surprised by how much I loved this book. Based on reviews I had seen and reading the synopsis I knew I would enjoy it, but I didn't realize how much I would truly love it. I couldn't put it down, having to force myself to stop reading to sleep and go to work haha.
The general gist is " fairy tale victims go to modern day group therapy". It centers around 5 women and each chapters is a different person's story. Each of the stories is interesting as they dive into their traumatic pasts that have given them like " true crime notoriety". Because they are all telling their own traumas there are some holes, where clearly they don't want to speak on it or they are defensive or hyper fixating on things. They are their own unreliable narrators for their own stories, its amazing. You are trying to piece things together, wanting more details. But then you kinda feel guilty because one of the main themes of the book is how these traumas get publicized to the masses, and everyone has opinions on your own personal issues. It's no one else's business, nobody is owed anything.
If you are looking for a book that delves into traumas and how it effects different people and a shorter read, I would highlight recommend. Obviously check trigger warnings before reading.
The Will / Jack chapters were so weirddddd ( in a good way). The detail about the lotion freaked me out every chapters, there was so much description about it. I knew there was something up with Will, but I didn't put together that he would be Jack until Ashlee's chapter.
Ruby, what a disaster. The language describing her and that she uses is so literally disgusting. The matted, soiled, smelly fur coat is so prominent that you feel like you are smelling it. You feel uncomfortable, which is the point. The destructive behaviors makes you want to give her sympathy, but when someone does she bites back.
Raina, I couldn't wait for her chapter. I was so interested in why she was there, and especially after you see she was invited as a mistake. The Little Man relationship I didn't see coming and I was so invested. I was eating those pages up, seeing where it was going to go. I felt like Ashlee, who had her mouth open the entire story in shock haha. Raina seemed so tragic and I think being able to tell someone about this loss she suffered gave her some freedom.
The general gist is " fairy tale victims go to modern day group therapy". It centers around 5 women and each chapters is a different person's story. Each of the stories is interesting as they dive into their traumatic pasts that have given them like " true crime notoriety". Because they are all telling their own traumas there are some holes, where clearly they don't want to speak on it or they are defensive or hyper fixating on things. They are their own unreliable narrators for their own stories, its amazing. You are trying to piece things together, wanting more details. But then you kinda feel guilty because one of the main themes of the book is how these traumas get publicized to the masses, and everyone has opinions on your own personal issues. It's no one else's business, nobody is owed anything.
If you are looking for a book that delves into traumas and how it effects different people and a shorter read, I would highlight recommend. Obviously check trigger warnings before reading.
Ruby, what a disaster. The language describing her and that she uses is so literally disgusting. The matted, soiled, smelly fur coat is so prominent that you feel like you are smelling it. You feel uncomfortable, which is the point. The destructive behaviors makes you want to give her sympathy, but when someone does she bites back.
Raina, I couldn't wait for her chapter. I was so interested in why she was there, and especially after you see she was invited as a mistake. The Little Man relationship I didn't see coming and I was so invested. I was eating those pages up, seeing where it was going to go. I felt like Ashlee, who had her mouth open the entire story in shock haha. Raina seemed so tragic and I think being able to tell someone about this loss she suffered gave her some freedom.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Eating disorder, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Vomit, Kidnapping, and Murder