A review by lovelymisanthrope
Luckiest Girl Alive, by Jessica Knoll
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I knew I wanted to pick this up before I watched the movie, and boy was I blown away.
“Luckiest Girl Alive” follows Ani; a kickass woman who is taking New York City by storm. She has the perfect job, she has the perfect fiancé, and she has built the perfect facade that makes everyone love her, but she is far from perfect. In high school she was raped and shortly after a victim in the deadliest school shooting in private school history. When she is approached to take part in a documentary about the shooting, she is forced to finally face all of the trauma she has repressed for fifteen years.
This book is ALOT and I highly encourage anyone to look into trigger warnings before they pick this up. This book explores trauma in a beautiful and respectful way. Ani has been through more than any one person should have to go through, and all before she could even drive. I think “Luckiest Girl Alive” does an exemplary job at highlighting how much these experiences at such a young age can really shape how a person grows up. Although Ani seems fine, she is at constant war with herself, and there is only so much inner turmoil a person can before they break entirely.
Ani is a writer at a prestigious magazine based in New York City, and I think this really comes through in the writing in the book. The book is told by her, in her own voice, and the narrative is eloquent, haunting, and beautiful.
I will 100% be picking up more from Jessica Knoll in the future!
“Luckiest Girl Alive” follows Ani; a kickass woman who is taking New York City by storm. She has the perfect job, she has the perfect fiancé, and she has built the perfect facade that makes everyone love her, but she is far from perfect. In high school she was raped and shortly after a victim in the deadliest school shooting in private school history. When she is approached to take part in a documentary about the shooting, she is forced to finally face all of the trauma she has repressed for fifteen years.
This book is ALOT and I highly encourage anyone to look into trigger warnings before they pick this up. This book explores trauma in a beautiful and respectful way. Ani has been through more than any one person should have to go through, and all before she could even drive. I think “Luckiest Girl Alive” does an exemplary job at highlighting how much these experiences at such a young age can really shape how a person grows up. Although Ani seems fine, she is at constant war with herself, and there is only so much inner turmoil a person can before they break entirely.
Ani is a writer at a prestigious magazine based in New York City, and I think this really comes through in the writing in the book. The book is told by her, in her own voice, and the narrative is eloquent, haunting, and beautiful.
Spoiler
I was not 100% satisfied with the ending of this book, but I think the ending is very indicative of the world we live in and unfortunately it is pretty authentic. Although Ani starts to get her own justice and peace, I wanted to see more wins for her, but maybe that is the point? She has grown to realize she needs peace from herself more than anything and she deserves to pursue what she wants in life.Spoiler
I will 100% be picking up more from Jessica Knoll in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Rape, Gun violence, Gore, Bullying, Mass/school shootings, Toxic friendship, Murder, Violence, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Death
Minor: Infidelity and Suicide attempt