A review by echidna
Bunny by Mona Awad
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book is wild. First and foremost, I respect it for its ability to constantly surprise me. I never had any idea what was going to happen next. I think it's rare to find a book that's really like nothing else you've read. When I describe the plot of this book to people it makes sense, at a high level, but truly it's hard to capture all the layers and how it feels to read it. I can't think of anything I would really compare it to, which is kind of cool.
If you enjoy literary analysis, you could write two dozen high school style essays hashing out its various themes and possible interpretations. Makes it a fun book to discuss and think about.
The many layers and open-to-interpretation nature of this book can make it a little frustrating or confusing. There were definitely parts that I had difficulty following. The book delivers carefully built-up surprises, but it never becomes truly clear what is really going on.
Despite the confusion, I found this book to be a page turner. You just get in and enjoy the ride, no clue where you're going.
I think it might even be worth a re-read. I'll have to consider it.
I'm sure everyone has their own interpretations, but I thought it was interesting what the book was trying to depict about writing and creativity. The contrast and interactions between Samantha and the Bunnies, their different approaches to art -- and creating Darlings. The commentary on Warren and the surrounding town. The 'teaching' of writing, and writing as a communal vs individual act. Class, privilege, and trauma and how they interact with creative generation. How in the end, both Samantha and the Bunnies are kind of pathetic in their own ways.
Interpretations aside, the surface-level reading experience itself is pretty good. The bunnies are totally creepy, with their cutesy witch coven. There's suspense, since it's clear since the beginning that there's something weird about Ava, some mysterious history with the Lion. Lots of clever little hints and clues from the author throughout the book. The bunny-mind-meld section is super whack (in a cool way). Things keep escalating as the story goes on. The Ava plot twist is wild. There's tons of surprises in general.
I did have a general sense of feeling confused, since it's totally unclear what genre the book even falls into. Crazy things happen, and it's unclear whether they're real or not (within the world of the book).
It isn't clear, in the end, what is magical realism, satire, metaphor, real in-world fantasy, or schizophrenia. I think I would have been disappointed if it was all just schizophrenia in the end, so I'm glad it's open ended. Still, just a little more clarity might have made the book more satisfying for me.
If you enjoy literary analysis, you could write two dozen high school style essays hashing out its various themes and possible interpretations. Makes it a fun book to discuss and think about.
The many layers and open-to-interpretation nature of this book can make it a little frustrating or confusing. There were definitely parts that I had difficulty following. The book delivers carefully built-up surprises, but it never becomes truly clear what is really going on.
Despite the confusion, I found this book to be a page turner. You just get in and enjoy the ride, no clue where you're going.
I think it might even be worth a re-read. I'll have to consider it.
Spoiler
I'm sure everyone has their own interpretations, but I thought it was interesting what the book was trying to depict about writing and creativity. The contrast and interactions between Samantha and the Bunnies, their different approaches to art -- and creating Darlings. The commentary on Warren and the surrounding town. The 'teaching' of writing, and writing as a communal vs individual act. Class, privilege, and trauma and how they interact with creative generation. How in the end, both Samantha and the Bunnies are kind of pathetic in their own ways.
Interpretations aside, the surface-level reading experience itself is pretty good. The bunnies are totally creepy, with their cutesy witch coven. There's suspense, since it's clear since the beginning that there's something weird about Ava, some mysterious history with the Lion. Lots of clever little hints and clues from the author throughout the book. The bunny-mind-meld section is super whack (in a cool way). Things keep escalating as the story goes on. The Ava plot twist is wild. There's tons of surprises in general.
I did have a general sense of feeling confused, since it's totally unclear what genre the book even falls into. Crazy things happen, and it's unclear whether they're real or not (within the world of the book).
It isn't clear, in the end, what is magical realism, satire, metaphor, real in-world fantasy, or schizophrenia. I think I would have been disappointed if it was all just schizophrenia in the end, so I'm glad it's open ended. Still, just a little more clarity might have made the book more satisfying for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Self harm