Scan barcode
A review by laurenboisset
This Is Pleasure by Mary Gaitskill
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Bleh.
A phenomenally written exploration of two thoroughly human and truly heinous people. There are few characters who have made me as sick to my stomach as Quin, because his brand of playful, 'free-spirited,' aggressive misogyny is something I and many other women have and will continue to encounter in real life.
The one thing that takes off a star for me is that I can't 100% parse Gaitskill's intentions with his character, even with having read numerous interviews by her. I understand Death of the Author and all that - unfortunately having read my fair share of Barthes during my degree - but with a subject such as this, I'm going to be interested in what they have to say.
I'm probably going to come back to this later to figure out my opinion, so watch this space.
A phenomenally written exploration of two thoroughly human and truly heinous people. There are few characters who have made me as sick to my stomach as Quin, because his brand of playful, 'free-spirited,' aggressive misogyny is something I and many other women have and will continue to encounter in real life.
The one thing that takes off a star for me is that I can't 100% parse Gaitskill's intentions with his character, even with having read numerous interviews by her. I understand Death of the Author and all that - unfortunately having read my fair share of Barthes during my degree - but with a subject such as this, I'm going to be interested in what they have to say.
I'm probably going to come back to this later to figure out my opinion, so watch this space.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual assault